Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker is close to signing a new endorsement deal with Nike, CNBC‘s Jabari Young reports.
The 34-year-old has been with Nike throughout his extended NBA career, but his prior deal expired Oct. 1.
Tucker also received interest from Puma, Adidas and New Balance, his agent Andre Buck of Arete Sports Agency confirmed in an interview. The 34-year-old player is expected to command a multiyear, six-figure sneaker deal that would be the largest endorsement deal of his career.
“He’s been happy with the level of interest from the various brands,” Buck added when contacted by CNBC. “So much of the sneaker culture, even beyond basketball, is a part of his life.”
In 14 games to begin the new 2019-20 NBA season, Tucker is averaging 9.9 points (53.2% shooting, 47.5% on three-pointers) and 6.6 rebounds in 34.9 minutes per game. He’s seen by many as Houston’s most valuable and versatile defensive player.
However, he’s probably best known to the masses for his fashion sense, both on and off the court. As far as basketball shoes, Young estimates that Tucker — often referred to as the NBA’s “Sneaker King” — has more than 5,000 pairs in his collection.
What makes Tucker’s endorsement deal unique is the diversity of his collection and the extensive online following that it has generated for him. Based on that, Nike has allowed Tucker access to their complete vault of sneakers — as opposed to one specific shoe or line, as is the case with most players. From Young’s story:
“They’re selling products, so they want you to wear certain things,” Tucker told CNBC in an interview last month. “But for me, they let me wear anything I want. Everybody can’t do that, especially if you’re under contract.
“With that blessing,” Tucker said he can wear a variety of lines, including the Kobe Bryant 4 model, his all-time favorite game-sneakers.
Young says the deal should be a multi-year pact worth “six figures,” which would be the largest endorsement deal of Tucker’s career.
