Stephen Curry is moving forward with a controversial endorsement deal.
The 38-year-old Golden State Warriors star player inked a contract with Li-Ning, the apparel company banned from the United States in 2022.
The company faces accusations by the U.S. government and human rights groups of using forced labor.
From the Pulitzer Center last summer:
“Earlier this year, a major investigation by TBIJ, the New York Times and Der Spiegel connected more than 100 global brands to the Xinjiang labour transfer scheme that moves ethnic minorities thousands of miles across China to work in eastern factories. The transfer scheme is a central pillar of the Chinese government’s systematic destruction of the Uyghur, Kazakh and Kyrgyz communities of Xinjiang. Anta, Li-Ning and 361 Degrees are among the brands that directly own production sites linked to these human rights abuses.”
Stephen left his Under Armour deal after 13 years in November.
The new agreement “will include basketball products, athleisure lifestyle wear, the ability for Curry to sign male and female athletes under his brand, and a full golf line,” per ESPN, which also reports that the deal is for 10 years.
ESPN also notes that a factor in his decision was “his comfort while testing the shoes of two Li-Ning signature athletes: Jimmy Butler, his fellow Warriors teammate, and Dwyane Wade.”
“The partnership of a lifetime,” Stephen wrote on social media along with the announcement.
“The next stage is set. This is bigger than a shoe deal, bigger than a signature series. This is the partnership of a lifetime. The future of Curry Brand will be powered by a company truly rooted in sports and innovation. A partner dedicated to creating quality products with sneakers that I believe in that will continue to deliver at the highest level. The future of Curry Brand is with Li-Ning. And it starts with Mr. Li-Ning himself, an athlete founder who’s built one of the world’s most premium sportswear brands over the last 35 years. Together, we will continue the Curry Brand mission with stories, platforms, and products that will inspire the next generation around the globe. And change the game for good. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
Forbes cites his earnings as of May 22 at $124.7 million. See more of the highest-earning athletes.
Posted To:Li-ning Stephen Currry
Leave a Reply