• Loading stock data...
Friday, February 7, 2025

Top NBA Draft Picks Cash In On Endorsements

  • NBA teams chose from this year’s draft picks Thursday night.
  • Top pick Cade Cunningham recently inked a deal with Nike.
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

Before Cade Cunningham became the first overall pick at Thursday night’s NBA Draft, he was already Team Nike.

The newly minted Detroit Piston signed an endorsement deal with the Swoosh in the leadup to the draft. He reportedly has more deals in place with food, energy drink, crypto, trading card, and memorabilia companies.

Cunningham wasn’t the only player to cash in on pre-draft hype.

  • Jonathan Kuminga, selected seventh by the Golden State Warriors, signed a multiyear shoe deal with Nike before the draft. 
  • Jalen Green (picked second by the Houston Rockets), Evan Mobley (third, Cleveland Cavaliers), and Jalen Suggs (fifth, Orlando Magic) inked pre-draft contracts with adidas.
  • Suggs also signed deals with Chipotle, Wells Fargo, AT&T, 2K Sports, Gatorade, Hugo Boss, New Era, and Wilson, which replaced Spalding as the NBA’s official basketball provider last year.

The draft stayed in Disney’s media empire, with ABC and ESPN simulcasting. It was the 19th consecutive NBA Draft on ESPN.

The NBA’s current broadcast deals run through 2025 and are valued at $24 billion. The league is believed to be seeking pacts worth $75 billion for its next set of media contracts.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

U.S. Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro (left) and Sunil Gulati (center) and MLS commissioner Don Garber (right) pose for a photo.

Billionaire Who Chaired NASL Admits He Used Burner Account to Attack MLS,..

Rocco Commisso, the Mediacom founder, compared the MLS commissioner to Harvey Weinstein.
exclusive

Carson Beck Has Scored Nearly $10M in NIL Deals in 12 Months:..

A source says the $4 million figure attributed to Canes Connection is inaccurate.
Sponsored

How Sportradar and the NBA Are Shaping the Future of Immersive Fan..

By transforming raw data into tailored, interactive content, Sportradar helps turn the NBA’s enormous fanbase into active participants.
Nov 24, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks center Sakima Walker (35) and UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) jockey for rebounding position during the fourth quarter at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory

Players Era NIL Tourney to Add Women’s Basketball in 2025

Get ready for a South Carolina–UCLA rematch.

Featured Today

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
Feb 3, 2019; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears mascot dances on the court during a stoppage in play in the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Haas Pavilion.
January 31, 2025

The Toll of Bicoastal Travel on New ACC Members Cal and Stanford

Cal and Stanford face missed flights, chaotic sleep schedules, and academic demands.
January 28, 2025

It’s Starting to Pay to Be Good at Cornhole

American Cornhole League players made $7.7 million in 2024.
Feb 1, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Phoenix Suns power forward Kevin Durant (35) looks on during warm ups before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.

Rich Kleiman Says Kevin Durant Would ‘Potentially’ Play in New International League

Kleiman said a more relaxed schedule would benefit older players.
Jimmy Butler
February 5, 2025

Jimmy Butler Saga Ends With Trade to Warriors and $121 Million Contract

Two of the NBA’s longest-running plots were resolved Wednesday night.
Pete Alonso
February 5, 2025

Pete Alonso Finally Returns to Mets on $30 Million Pillow Contract

The slugger can be a free agent again next year.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) hugs Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, during pregame warm-up at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
February 5, 2025

Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. Calls for Full-Time NFL Refs

Game officials have gotten a lot of heat for bad calls this season.
February 5, 2025

Why 21 of WNBA’s 24 All-Stars Will Be Free Agents Next Year

The WNBA players’ union opted out of the CBA in October.
February 4, 2025

Mark Cuban Says He Did Not Know About Luka Dončić Trade

Cuban sold a majority stake of the Mavericks n 2023.
February 4, 2025

Travis Kelce Shuts Down Retirement Talk: Eyes Records, Off-Field Success

The Chiefs star spoke about his future during the Super Bowl Opening Night event.