National Basketball Association

LeBron James signs lifetime deal with Nike

Published Dec. 7, 2015 4:22 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Scott Sargent

While Michael Jordan’s namesake is strapped to the back of the most iconic sneaker line in history, it is Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James who has signed the largest guaranteed deal in Nike’s history.

According to ESPN’s Darren Rovell, The Swoosh has signed James to a lifetime deal that will keep him involved with the company well beyond his playing days in the NBA.

James famously signed his first contract with Nike before he was drafted by the Cavs back in 2003. In an era where athletes jump from brand to brand as new deals come about - James Harden is one of the most recent, switching from Nike to adidas - locking James up for the long haul makes sense. Scandal-free since entering the league, James has been a pillar of the company’s basketball line, recently launching his thirteenth signature sneaker. His 2014 line, the LeBron 12, was the biggest revenue generator for the entire basketball line.

This news comes just days after it was announced that Nike would be giving James his own, more regal typeface. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but it’s safe to assume that the four-time MVP is being handsomely compensated after taking a slight pay cut following the end of his first deal.

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