Russell Westbrook has signed a 10-year extension, but don’t get too excited Oklahoma City Thunder fans because his new deal is for sneakers. Westbrook put up unbelievable and historic stats in the 2016-2017 season; averaging a triple-double with 31.6 points, 10.4 assists, and 10.7 rebounds. Now Westbrook is being rewarded for those insane statistics with a lucrative 10-year extension with the Jordan Brand. The reigning NBA MVP is expected to be the face of the brand and his deal is said to branch off to fashionable non-basketball oriented shoes.
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Last season, Westbrook had a higher Value Over Replacement Player of any NBA since the statistic was tracked back to the 1973-1974 season. It was more outstanding than some guy named Michael Jordan, you may have heard of him. Now Jordan’s brand will pay him mightily according to Nick DePaula of ESPN:
Now that the decade-long deal has been locked in, the process is underway to begin developing an on-court Westbrook signature. The shoe is expected to undoubtedly highlight his flashy and unpredictable fashion lens — “unlike anything that Jordan Brand has done before” — according to an industry source. There’s also been a distinct separation in his tastes for games and lifestyle sneakers, as he prefers deconstructed and simplified casual shoes off the court, versus highly sculpted, molded and responsive basketball shoes.
Westbrook originally signed a five-year deal with the Nike-owned company in 2013 and was set to expire next year. Westbrook will represent the Jordan Brand through the 2025-2026 season in what is described to be “the most lucrative total endorsement deal for a Jordan athlete to date.”
If it is the most lucrative deal for any Jordan athlete that will really provide Westbrook with some financial stability and even be able to afford the new iPhone X since he is making $28,530,608 this season and will be paid $30,521,115 next year.
[Uproxx]