Nike Signs Cade Cunningham to Multiyear Deal

Cade Cunningham, the likely first overall draft pick for Thursday's NBA Draft, has inked a fresh deal with apparel giant Nike. 

Cade Cunningham — the expected No. 1 overall pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft — has agreed to an endorsement deal with Nike, sources tell ESPN. It’s believed to be the highest-earning shoe deal among players in his draft class.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 27, 2021

Cunningham is excited about the deal, saying the following about signing with the legendary shoe company: 

More than anything, they show that athletes are more than just athletes. They really put the right message out for people to see. That was important to me. I felt like it was a perfect match for me.

Puma, Converse and Adidas were all apparently in the running to sign the most-hyped prospect in the 2021 NBA Draft class, as he tested out their footwear during pre-draft workouts. At a young age, Cunningham seems to have a decent grasp on the fact that there is life after basketball, stating: 

I'm not playing basketball just for fun anymore. It's a business now, and that's the blessing of it. I'm happy that I've gotten to get to this point to where I can make money doing what I'm doing. Marketing myself, I want to be fully authentic with who I am. I don't want to take any marketing deals that don't match who I am.

And Nike is just the latest endorsement for Cunningham, as he has reportedly signed deals with multiple companies in a variety of industries: plant-based food, energy drinks, cryptocurrencies, trading card memorabilia and photo-sharing apps. 

With so many professional hoop dreams dashed within the first few years of playing in the NBA, kudos to Cunningham for having a vision for his career that aligns with his values. 

Hopefully he invests the millions he's lined up for himself wisely!

Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports