A closer look at Kevin Durant's shoe deal with Nike worth 300 million for 10 years

Kevin Durant is one of the greatest athletes of his generation. The 2013-2014 NBA MVP was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. Upon entering the NBA, Durant signed a seven-year, $60 million contract with Nike. Following his MVP season, Durant was awarded a new contract by the shoe conglomerate that is reportedly worth $300 million.

Kevin Durant's shoe deal with Nike is his biggest career endorsement deal

Unsurprisingly, Kevin Durant's shoe deal with Nike is, by far, the biggest endorsement deal the two-time NBA champion has signed thus far. Despite this, Durant could top this number when he re-enters sneaker-free agency following the 2023-2024 season.

Durant reportedly came close to signing with Under Armour, who offered the same 10-year, $300 million contract before Nike decided to match the offer. Durant's decision to re-sign with Nike has paid off for both him and the company. His signature shoe is one of the best-selling products at Nike and throughout basketball.

With Durant set to re-enter the market after next season, the general consensus is that he will choose to remain with Nike. As shoe companies have begun to give NBA stars lifetime contracts, it wouldn't be surprising to see Durant be the next player to receive the security of such a deal.

Does Kevin Durant's shoe deal with Nike pay him after he retires?

Kevin Durant's shoe deal with Nike reportedly includes a kicker that will pay him $50 million upon his retirement from the NBA. Although the deal is set to expire before Durant walks away from the game of basketball, whenever he does call it quits on his illustrious career, he will be guaranteed a hefty payday.

Other companies will surely try to lure the four-time scoring champion away from Nike, as Durant can technically leave the shoe brand after the 2023-2023 NBA season. Durant may use other companies as a bargaining chip, as he did with Under Armour. However, it is unlikely that either side will want to part ways as the deal has been very lucrative.

In addition to the $360 million he will have made from Nike by the end of next season, Durant will have made over $500 million from his NBA salaries by the end of his current contract. With over $860 million in career earnings from the NBA and Nike alone, Durant's career earnings could already be over $1 billion. With his next shoe contract, Durant should easily clear that mark.