Many consider Andrew Wiggins the best prospect to come out of high school since LeBron James, and the sneaker companies seem to believe the hype.
The Kansas freshman forward, expected to be the top pick in the 2014 draft, has yet to play a college basketball game, but Adidas is already prepared to offer him upwards of $180 million to wear its sneakers and apparel, according to Bleacher Report.
Three sources told the website Adidas has identified the 6-foot-8 Wiggins as its top target, and are willing to break the bank for the superstar in the making.
“I’ve heard a range for sure, from like $140 to $180 million for like 10 years,” an industry source told Bleacher Report.
Most rookie deals are four-year contracts. James received a seven-year, $93 million deal with Nike. Of course, times are different now. Wiggins, a native of Canada, can’t enter the draft until he has played a year at Kansas. Footage of his high-flying dunks have amplified his legend online.
“I’m hearing from people at Kansas that he’s got a $180 million offer supposedly coming from Adidas,” a source close to Wiggins’ inner circle said, according to the report. “But I also heard that Nike is going to match anything.”
Technically, no meetings or officials offers can be extended until Wiggins declares for the 2014 draft.
Though Rich Lopez, the publisher of the popular sneaker website KixandtheCity.com, told CBSSports.com that “(Adidas) is easily the front-runner, 100 percent,” Nike isn’t exactly a sleeper, according to the story.
Sources told Bleacher Report that Wiggins wore Nikes growing up and his AAU program, CIA Bounce of Ontario, was sponsored by Nike. Furthermore, James’ agent, Rich Paul, is connected to former CIA Bounce director Mike George. Paul and Wiggins met last summer in Ohio. Nike does have large contracts with James, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant, which could limit them in negotiations with Wiggins, Lopez said.
Also, Adidas sponsors the Jayhawks, meaning the company gets to talk to and outfit him with gear during the season. It worked that way with Derrick Rose, who signed with Adidas after one year with Memphis.
Then there is Under Armour, which is on the way up in the world of grassroots basketball and recently signed Stephen Curry, and Chinese brand Li-Ning, which has Dwyane Wade under contract.
One thing is certain: If Wiggins comes close to living up to the hype, he will be a rich man, and his NBA salary will account for only a percentage of his newfound wealth.