Kyrie Irving is back in the shoe game after his split with Nike.
The former Nets star and current Dallas Mavericks guard signed a five-year endorsement deal with Chinese sportswear brand ANTA, the company said in a release.
The deal also makes Irving the Chief Creative Officer of the company.
The agreement will allow him to recruit and sign players and other collaborators and bring a level of manufacturing to the United States, the release said.
“I’m incredibly excited about this collaboration,” Irving in a statement. “The first step in becoming partners is to share the same dreams, goals, and missions. ANTA’s rapid development over the years, openness to creativity, willingness to embrace family and teamwork, expertise in areas like product innovation and manufacturing processes have left a remarkable impression on not just me, but also my A11Even team who will work side by side with me in creating something truly generationally special.”
The deal will facilitate the launch of ANTA x KYRIE Youth Basketball Camps across the globe, with China and the United States expected to be the first countries to launch the events.
Irving’s first signature shoe with ANTA is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2024.
Irving, 31, had been with Nike since his rookie season in 2011, but the company split with the star after he tweeted a link to a film filled with anti-Semitic tropes.
Irving was given what equated to an eight-game suspension by the Nets in November, and Nike first suspended their relationship with him before officially dropping him a month later.
“At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of anti-Semitism. To that end, we’ve made the decision to suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving effective immediately and will no longer launch the Kyrie 8,” Nike said in November.
“We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone.”
ANTA said the partnership with Irving would go beyond just a shoe, and initiatives will be set up to “support everyone devoted to the game of basketball.”
“Through these collaborations and in collaboration with ANTA, Kyrie will strive to collectively shape and introduce new vision, innovation and creativity in the signature sportswear category,” the company’s statement read.
Over a dozen NBA players wear ANTA shoes, including the Warriors’ Klay Thompson, according to Kix Stats.
Irving agreed to a three-year deal with the Mavericks for $126 million at the start of NBA free agency.
He averaged 27 points, six assists and five rebounds in 20 games for the Mavs following the trade from Brooklyn.