Since pretty much forever. Nike, Adidas and Reebok were the shoe companies that shared headlines with top picks in the annual NBA draft, by signing promising rookies that haven’t played a single game in the league to huge endorsement contracts.
Continuing to make waves in the shoe game, Beijing-based Li-Ning joined that elite club by inking Philadelphia 76ers 2nd overall pick in the 2010 draft, Evan Turner to the first ever deal given to a rookie by an Asian based company.
“This is truly a game-changing moment for the Li-Ning brand,” said Li-Ning’s Brand Initiative Director for Basketball, Brian Cupps tells slamoneline. “Adding a supreme young talent like Evan Turner sends a message to the global basketball community that Li-Ning basketball is committed to being a player on the global stage.”
Terms of the deal Turner signed were not released, but according to NBC Turner will serve as a spokesman for Li-Ning joining Baron Davis and will receive his own signature Li-Ning shoe in the 2011-2012 season. Established in 1984 Li-Ning generated more than $1.2 billion (damn!) in sales last year, which makes it bigger than Under Armour.
