“12 years ago I made a decision which was unthinkable…” In March this year, Dwyane Wade spoke about the decision to leave the Jordan brand. The Miami Heat legend took the risk, and it paid off, though a rough patch wasn’t all elusive to Li-Ning. Regardless, as Wade continues, he has a rather unique way of promoting his new drop with the Chinese brand.

“I love wearing these big dumbs-a-s-looking shoes @wayofwade,” he wrote on his Instagram stories. The Miami Heat legend was showing off the new “LI NING Way Of Wade – 3D Infinity 2.0 Lunar Rock,” priced between $299 to $329 on their website.

As per Forbes in 2019, “Wade joined Chinese brand Li-Ning in 2012 after wearing Converse and Jordan to start his career. The three-time NBA champion signed a lifetime deal for his Way of Wade signature line with Li-Ning last year ahead of his final NBA season.”

Before joining Li Ning, D-Wade already worked with Converse with 5 signature shoes, and Jordan Brand, where he had 3. With Li-Ning, he reportedly earns $12 million from the partnership, becoming one of the 14 NBA stars to make $9 million or above from shoe deals as per Forbes in 2021.

Dwyane Wade’s first contract with the brand in 2012 was for 7 years, but in 2013, the company got hit. Its stock price dropped by 15%, and the first Way of Wade received mixed reviews. But the 13x All-Star kept faith and in 2018 signed an extension with a lifetime contract. He became the 3rd basketball player alongside his idol Michael Jordon and his former teammate LeBron James to sign lifetime apparel contracts.

The unknown path for Dwyane Wade is reaping good results

The Flash had won back-to-back finals with the Miami Heat. Nobody was expecting him to leave for any competitor brand. Moving to a Chinese Sportswear company did not cross anybody’s mind. “I can remember being on the call when I was contemplating leaving the Jordan Brand to come over to Li-Ning and thinking about all the things that could go wrong,” he recalled, speaking to Bleacher Report.

“So just to be here and to be able to go through everything, it’s a real surreal moment for me. It really made me happy that I could be the face for others who will eventually go through the same thing, who will have to take a step outside of what people think is the norm, and do something a little different. Look no further than me.”

With the creative control on his side, the 3x NBA Champion is expanding the game in his own way. He also launched Wade Basketball Academy in collaboration with Li Ning earlier this year to create the future class of CBA stars. The Heat legend is certainly making the most of the opportunity.