Nike did not secure a contract with Duke basketball’s leading prospect Cooper Flagg, and that’s a warning sign for retired NBA star Gilbert Arenas. In a recent episode of “Gil’s Arena,” Arenas expressed his thoughts on Flagg’s endorsement agreement with New Balance and the numerous individuals astonished that the NBA’s prospective top lottery selection did not finalize a deal with Nike.
“When folks say they’re surprised he didn’t partner with Nike. Regrettably, Nike must have noticed something they didn’t favor because when Nike wants you, Nike goes all out,” Arena remarked. “If they were interested in Cooper Flagg, there was nothing New Balance could do to prevent him from signing. They would offer an astonishing amount if they believed you were going to be part of their future. So, unfortunately, he falls into the same category that Jokic fell into, that Embiid fell into, that any significant player experiences. Nike doesn’t engage with those big athletes in that manner.”
This holds significance for Arenas, who argues that a player’s initial contract with a footwear brand is crucial in today’s landscape.
“The face of something, regrettably, your shoe brand holds importance,” Arenas further stated. “Only a handful of individuals in the history of the sport have surpassed expectations and still achieved global superstardom with something other than a Nike, or heck, even an Adidas. We’re referencing since Michael Jordan. Converse was thriving before Mike arrived.”
While voices are reacting to Flagg’s recent shoe agreement with New Balance, it’s not the first instance of a high-profile player bypassing Nike. Golden State Warriors icon Stephen Curry signed a deal with Under Armour worth approximately $4 million in 2013, and Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid agreed to a four-year, $196 million extension with Skechers in 2021. The five-star recruit from Duke basketball finds himself in esteemed company.
Cooper Flagg’s New Balance shoe endorsement agreement
Perhaps Gilbert Arenas overlooked Cooper Flagg and New Balance’s strong ties to Maine as the most essential aspect of Flagg’s choice to sign a shoe endorsement contract with the sneaker brand. With its Skowhegan, Maine factory situated merely 25 miles from Cooper’s hometown in Newport, his decision to finalize a contract with New Balance was uncomplicated, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
‘The affiliation with New Balance as a family-oriented business and a company with Maine heritage means a great deal to me,” Flagg stated, according to ESPN. “That truly makes this unique and special. My mother used to attend the tent sale for back-to-school shopping there when we were young. That really connects the brand with my origins. It’s a perfect match.”
With his shoe deal in mind, Maine’s local hero has made it, and Flagg has Duke basketball supporters eager for the forthcoming season.
Image Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock
