NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION (NBA) star Blake Griffin is reported to have signed a shoe deal with the Nike-owned Jordan brand after sporting a pair of blue Jordan sneakers on the opening night of the NBA season.
The Los Angeles Clippers forward is thought to be the latest NBA player to join the Jordan stable after the high-profile departure of Dwyane Wade to Chinese sports apparel brand Li Ning last month.
Griffin would join Clippers team-mate Chris Paul and other NBA stars such as Carmelo Anthony, Ray Allen and Joe Johnson who are all Jordan athletes.
Currently under contract with Nike to wear swoosh-branded sneakers, Griffin’s switch would be significant in boosting the endorsement roster of the Jordan brand and goes some way to replacing the marketing void left by Wade.
Jordan has already signed Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook and the number two NBA Draft pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist since Wade’s move, and the addition of 23-year-old Griffin further cements the brand’s commitment to the NBA’s younger talent.
The deal, if confirmed, would be another major boost to Griffin’s pocket after the Clippers renewed his contract in July – a deal which could see him earn up to $95m over the next five years.
By Luke Harman
Follow Luke on Twitter: @lukeharmanSBG