Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter Klay Thompson signed a lifetime endorsement contract with ANTA that was revealed on Friday.
“ANTA was taking a chance on me, and I was taking a chance on them. It was a match made in heaven,” Thompson told footwear industry insider Nick DePaula. “When I started wearing ANTA, my career just took off. I was able to break some records, win some championships, play in All-Star Games and Olympic gold medal games.”
“I’m so grateful for their backing, and it’s inspired me to keep going,” he added. “My time in Asia, the Philippines, and all over the world has been so special. To grow the game and see the fans is something I don’t take for granted and will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Thompson initially signed a shoe deal with ANTA in 2014.
At the time, he was heading into his fourth season in the NBA.
Since then, Thompson has won four championships and earned five All-Star nods to go along with two All-NBA selections. His 2,837 career three-pointers are the fourth-most in NBA history.
Thompson’s first signature shoe, the ANTA KT1, released in Dec. 2015 before he signed a 10-year deal worth up to $80 million with the company in 2017.
Over 10 million of his ANTA shoes have now been sold, with the KT11s representing the latest edition of his footwear line (via Sole Retriever).
Since Thompson initially signed with ANTA, the company has agreed to deals with other NBA players including Mavericks star Kyrie Irving, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo, Detroit Pistons wing Caris LeVert and Dallas center Daniel Gafford.
Lifetime contracts aren’t unheard of, as superstars LeBron James and Kevin Durant have both signed them with Nike. Nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard also agreed to a lifetime deal with Adidas in Dec. 2024.
As for Thompson, he’s averaged 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 37.5 percent from three-point territory with the Mavericks this season.