Last month, New Balance announced that it was partnering with Toronto Raptors’ superstar, two-time Defensive Player and former NBA Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard. The multi-year endorsement deal is reportedly quite lucrative, on par with the Jordan Brand extension that Leonard turned down earlier this year, a four-year deal worth up to $22 million.
Many people are surprised by the deal and have jokingly derided it through social media:
Live look at New Balance consumers hearing about the Kawhi Leonard signing. pic.twitter.com/kTaA6V9rDJ
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) November 28, 2018
Yes, for all intents and purposes, this is an atypical decision.