What is ANTA? Mavericks star Kyrie Irving signs unique sneaker endorsement deal with Chinese shoe brand

Benyam Kidane

What is ANTA? Mavericks star Kyrie Irving signs unique sneaker endorsement deal with Chinese shoe brand image

Kyrie Irving has reportedly signed a sneaker endorsement deal with Chinese shoe brand ANTA.

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Irving has signed a five-year deal with the brand, but it's not your typical endorsement deal, with the brand also making the eight-time All-Star the company's Chief Creative Officer.

Per Charania, the deal will allow Irving to recruit other athletes and collaborators to join the brand, as well as bring manufacturing to the United States, helping expand ANTA's footprint stateside.   

The financial details of Irving's deal with ANTA have yet to be revealed. 

MORE: Kyrie Irving hides swoosh on sneakers following termination of Nike contract

Irving previously had one of the most successful signature sneaker lines with Nike, until the sportswear giant suspended its relationship with him in November 2022, before parting ways with him altogether in December after he shared a link to a documentary featuring anti-Semitic stereotypes. 

Who is signed with ANTA? Full list of current players

Irving is the latest NBA player on ANTA's roster, headlined by Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson and Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward

Thompson has been the face of the brand after leaving Nike in 2015, signing a reported 10-year extension worth $80 million in 2017. He has released eight signature sneakers under the KT line.

Such is Thompson's influence with the brand, ANTA has also signed his Golden State teammate Kevon Looney and former Warrior James Wiseman to deals.

Hayward has been with ANTA since 2019, releasing four signature sneakers under the GH line. 

Other notable players signed by ANTA include LA Clippers guard Terance Mann and Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso

Kyrie Irving contract details

Irving signed a three-year, $126 million contract with the Mavericks, with the deal including a player option in the third season.

Per ESPN's Tim McMahon, Irving's contract includes $6 million in incentives, which are not guaranteed. He stands to earn $1 million for every season he plays 65 games, with another $1 million for 50 team wins with a minimum of 58 games played.

SeasonSalary (Spotrac)
2023-24$37,037,037
2024-25$40,000,000
2025-26$42,962,963 (PO)
2026-27UFA

PO — Player option

UFA — Unrestricted free agent

Kyrie Irving stats

2022-23 season

  • 27.1 points per game
  • 5.5 assists per game
  • 5.1 rebounds per game
  • 49.4 percent field goal shooting
  • 37.9 percent 3-point shooting
  • 90.5 percent free throw shooting

Career

  • 23.4 points per game
  • 5.7 assists per game
  • 3.9 rebounds per game
  • 47.2 percent field goal shooting
  • 39.1 percent 3-point shooting
  • 88.5 percent free throw shooting

Career earnings

Irving has earned $233 million in his NBA career, according to Spotrac. That figure does not include the total value of his new contract or endorsement deals.

Irving made $56.2 million with the Cavaliers, $39.0 million with the Celtics and $124.3 million with the Nets before joining the Mavericks.

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.