Nike’s partnership with Kyrie Irving for their exclusive Kyrie range of basketball shoes was terminated last year. The move was a blow to the multi-billion dollar company as well to the 8x NBA All-Star’s image. Kyrie’s best-selling basketball sneakers were only behind LeBron James among the current players. And now, his association with a Chinese brand is impacting Stephen Curry’s circle.

Irving is one of the most controversial basketball players in the league. He always finds himself around controversies that tarnish his brand image, but he is a player who takes a stand and doesn’t back from it. However, the 2016 NBA champions’ addition to the brand is tarnishing the ambition of Stephen Curry’s teammate.

Stephen Curry’s teammate gets a huge blow

Irving signed with Nike in 2011 after being drafted first by the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, things took a turn in 2021 when he criticized the latest signature shoe line as “Trash”. The eleven years sponsorship ended after Irving posted a link to a documentary containing antisemitic messages.

Although Irving’s partnership with Nike got terminated on November 4 last year, he wore his Kyrie 3 sneakers in a few games covering up the swoosh with black tape. However, he had no takers for the next eight months until the Chinese shoe brand stepped and offered a multi-million dollar shoe deal for Irving.

But how has his signing affected Stephen Curry’s teammate Klay Thompson’s ambition?

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In 2017, the Chinese shoe brand introduced Klay Thompson as their latest signed athlete. Reportedly, Thompson signed an $80M shoe deal for the next ten years.

Thompson drew inspiration from NBA legend Michael Jordan’s impact on Nike. He wanted to be the face of the brand which he was until Irving’s announcement on his social media.

Who all have signed with Anta in the NBA?

The $29,810,000,000 Chinese shoe brand Anta may not be as popular as its US counterparts, but Klay Thompson ditched Nike for it years ago.

Similarly, another NBA great joined forces with the Chinese brand. Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett was the first among the NBA players to partner with Anta in 2010. The players who followed suit included Klay Thompson, Gordon Hayword, Alex Caruso, Kevon Looney, Terance Mann, Precious Achiuwa, and others.

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Following the latest addition of Kyrie Irving, the Chinese brand now gets the biggest star power. And it has only fueled the boot battle off the court.