Andrew Wiggins is one of the NBA's rising stars that Adidas has on their roster, but the brand reportedly has a "strong hesitation" about whether the Wolves' 22-year old guard is worthy of a signature shoe.
In a recent article about Milwaukee Bucks' star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his rising marketability in the sneaker industry, ESPN's Nick DePaula suggests Adidas is looking to make a massive offer that could sway him to leave Nike in favor of the Three Stripes.
A massive offer from Adidas would likely mean a signature shoe for the Greek Freak rather than Wiggins.
Per ESPN's Nick DePaula,
"At the time, the brand had hoped that Timberwolves rising phenom Andrew Wiggins could fill that role, but internally there has been strong hesitation about whether Wiggins could carry his own signature shoe."
"Antetokounmpo's game is already more established and more accomplished, leading the company to look at making a massive offer that could steal him away from Nike."
"Adidas is enjoying momentum in other categories as a brand and hasn't been shy in offering monster deals in the past to its top priorities, such as the 13-year deal to Harden and the seven-year contract to Porzingis."
According to DePaula, Giannis will be a sneaker free agent at the end of September and he could be looking at a deal similar to the one Kristaps Porzingis signed with Adidas, which pays him $5 million annually and could potentially be worth $7 million with incentives.
Per ESPN,
"The bar was set with Porzingis, in terms of financials," says one brand source. Some industry sources feel the Greek Freak could be looking at as much as $7-10 million annually on a new five-year endorsement deal.
Antetokounmpo's original deal with Nike, which expires in less than two months, is worth just $25,000 annually.
