Andrew Wiggins is being questioned a lot these days. First, the Timberwolves say that they are prepared to offer the young player a max, but he first must commit to improving. A commitment to improving is usually an unsaid given for a young NBA star, especially one coming off of a 23.6-point-per-game season. Now, Adidas, originally ecstatic to sign the former no. 1 pick, is hesitant to offer the 22-year-old a signature shoe, reports ESPN’s Nick DePaula:
“There’s an icon shoe foot to be filled, so to speak,” Michael Ladinig, Adidas director of basketball sports marketing, told me a year ago. “An above-the-rim style of player, that style isn’t necessarily represented enough in our current portfolio of players — that explosive, dominant and highly athletic player.”
At the time, the brand had hoped that Timberwolves rising phenom Andrew Wiggins could fill that role, but internally there has been strong hesitation about whether Wiggins could carry his own signature shoe.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s contract with Nike comes to an end next season. Adidas is hoping to poach the Greek Freak away:
Antetokounmpo’s game is already more established and more accomplished, leading the company to look at making a massive offer that could steal him away from Nike. Adidas is enjoying momentum in other categories as a brand and hasn’t been shy in offering monster deals in the past to its top priorities, such as the 13-year deal to Harden and the seven-year contract to Porzingis.
Regardless of where he signs, Antetokounmpo will be paid handsomely:
Some industry sources feel the Greek Freak could be looking at as much as $7-10 million annually on a new five-year endorsement deal.
