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The NBA and its link with famous shoe deals isn't new. In fact, the best players in the NBA invariably have a deal with a major brand for signature shoes. With the value of contract increasing each year, we see record-setting numbers for several players, including players such as Golden State Warriors' point guard Stephen Curry, Houston Rockets' point guard Russell Westbrook, Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant, and many more.
For most of these players, their contracts aren't their only source of income. From brand advertising, to events, and even their own products, the players certainly pocket quite a lot.
Yet, one of the biggest ways these players make money is from sneaker deals. When we think about basketball shoes, several brands come to our minds and here are the top 5 players who have pocketed the costliest contracts through their sneaker deals.
#5 Kobe Bryant (Nike)
A Hall-of-Famer, MVP, Champion, and All-Star Kobe Bryant lands at No.5 on the list, which is a bit of a surprise. Keep in mind though, he hasn't been with Nike since he began his career in the NBA. His first pair of shoes was in association with Adidas in 1997, who continued to release shoes including the KB8 and THE KOBE. Bryant later joined forces with Nike in 2005, releasing the Air Zoom Kobe I as his first signature shoe with the brand.
Since then, he continued to release more shoes, with the latest pair being the Kobe A.D. While he is no longer in the league, he has made a huge influence on the basketball community both on and off the court. According to Forbes, Bryant earned $16 million in sneaker deals.
#4 Stephen Curry (Under Armour)
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry is one player to have stayed with the team for a long and is a top player who isn't affiliated with Nike. While it would seem that a player like Curry would sign with a top brand like Nike, Under Armour isn't completely trailing them in terms of quality.
New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Tony Romo, Julio Jones, Joel Embiid, and Dennis Smith Jr. are some of the other big names to have signed with the brand but the NBA Champion and MVP certainly has a big following, especially with his shoes.
Curry switched to Under Armour in 2013, after a rather interesting meeting with Nike that ended up with him signing with Under Armour. Either way, it has been reported that Curry earned $20 million for his sneaker deal according to Forbes.
#3 Kevin Durant (Nike)
Maybe this is a surprise to some, or not a surprise at all. The 2x Finals MVP Kevin Durant had his first shoe come out with Nike in 2008, the same year the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City and renamed themselves the Thunder.
His first release was the 'Nike Zoom KD', which followed several variants and colorways in the same type. His most recent release is the 'Zoom KD 12' which has become popular amongst Kevin Durant fans' and sneakerheads.
Durant has become a fan for some, but for what he has accomplished on the court and in the community, he deserves a sneaker deal. Arguably, one of the best shoes that was released under his name would be the KD 11 Peach Jam. As of now, his sneaker deal with Nike has totaled $26 million and will likely continue to grow, according to Forbes.
#2 LeBron James (Nike)
One of the greatest players of all time, The King, LeBron James holds the second-highest earning deal, owing to his alliance with Nike. James has dominated both on and off the court, from leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a championship title, to opening an elementary school in Ohio for underprivileged kids. His first shoes came out in 2003 and have evolved dramatically since then.
It's unclear what shoes were the most popular, but a favorite would have been the LeBron X's which were released in 2013. LeBron shoes are definitely a fan favorite of sneakerheads and basketball players around the league, including Kevin Durant and Draymond Green. With his sneaker deal, LeBron has made $32 million, according to Forbes.
#1 Michael Jordan (Jordan)
When one thinks about basketball shoes, the most popular name would be that of Jordans. The first pair was the Air Jordan I, released in 1984 specifically for Michael Jordan himself. The shoes were later released to the public in 1985. From there on, it became a hit among sneakerheads and basketball enthusiasts.
Jordans became the standard of fashion in the 80s and early 2000s, leading to a big collectors market in the present day. To this day, if you watch an NBA game, you're likely to see at least one player wearing some version of the Jordans.
Although Nike has made itself a big-name brand, many would say that the Air Jordan made Nike a much bigger company, as it continues to be a multi-billion dollar company. With a value of $130 million, Jordan tops the list of highest earning sneaker deals according to Forbes.
