New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis is going to be cashing some pretty nice checks from Adidas soon.
Sources have told The Vertical that Porzingis signed a shoe deal with Adidas that is reportedly the most lucrative deal ever for a European player. The soon-to-be NBA sophomore is expected to receive $3-6 million per year as part of the shoe deal.
Porzingis had previously been under contract with Nike, but Porzingis accepted Adidas’ big offer and Nike isn’t expected to match Adidas’ deal.
“All I can say is both Nike and adidas are first-class companies,” Porzingis told The Vertical on Wednesday. “I would be lucky to align myself with either one. The amount of attention I received was flattering, but right now I am letting my agents handle the business side of things.
Though Porzingis is only in his second year in the league, he is expected to profit from his shoe deal in a way similar to NBA veterans Blake Griffin, Russell Westbrook, and Paul George.
Now that Porzingis is an Adidas guy, he is expected to be rocking Adidas shoes when he and the Knicks open the season against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Eventually, Porzingis’ shoe will end up in stores. The Knick forward will receive extra incentives for personal success, such as reaching the All-Star Game.
