LeBron James signs lifetime deal with sportswear giant Nike
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 07/12/15 10:40pm
Nike have signed NBA superstar LeBron James to the first lifetime deal in the sporting goods giant's history.
The deal is reported to be a record single athlete deal in Nike's history, easily bettering the $300m (£200m) contract Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder signed last summer, although no official figures have been made public.
James originally signed a $90m (£60m) deal with Nike just before he entered the NBA in 2003, and the company has since produced 13 versions of his signature basketball shoe, with sales expected to pass the $400m (£266m) mark for 2015 alone.
"We can confirm that we have agreed to a lifetime relationship with LeBron that provides significant value to our business, brand and shareholders," a statement from Nike read.
"We have already built a strong LeBron business over the past 12 years, and we see the potential for this to continue to grow throughout his playing career and beyond."
James' business partner Maverick Carter said: "LeBron and I have been in love and obsessed with Nike since we were kids.
"Having built a totally innovative, global business with them has truly been a dream come true. We are so excited to be taking the business to an entirely new level. For LeBron, he's thrilled to know he's a Nike guy for life."
James was recently named the sixth highest earning athlete in the world by Forbes.com, bringing in annual earnings of $64.8m (£43m). His net worth is an estimated $300m (£200m).
