There were some crazy numbers initially thrown around when speculation began about Andrew Wiggins’ shoe and apparel deal, but the Cleveland Cavaliers rookie ended up with a contract reportedly guaranteeing $2 million per year from adidas. The official announcement is expected Wednesday. Per USA Today and ESPN:
Wiggins played his one season of college basketball at Kansas, which wears Adidas jerseys.
In April, Adidas announced a deal with incoming rookie Dante Exum, the No. 5 pick in the draft by the Utah Jazz. Wiggins joins a list of Adidas basketball clients that includes former No. 1 picks Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose and John Wall as well as stars Damian Lillard, Joakim Noah and WNBA MVP Candace Parker.
Sources with knowledge of the signing say the contract is a multiyear deal that comes with a guarantee of at least $2 million annually.
UPDATE: adidas Hoops confirmed the news via Twitter on Wednesday morning:
Welcome to the family, @22wiggins. #teamadidas pic.twitter.com/qcPD5ghogl
— adidas Basketball (@adidasHoops) July 9, 2014
And Wiggins posted this photo to Instagram with the caption “Been waiting for this day. Happy to be joining the @adidashoops fam! #teamadidas”
adidas also sent along this official press release, welcoming Wiggins to the adi team:
PORTLAND, Ore. (July 9, 2014) – adidas today announced an unprecedented partnership with Andrew Wiggins, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 19-year-old, 6-foot-8-inch wing out of The University of Kansas is expected to make an immediate impact in the NBA with his superior athleticism, smooth transition game and strong ability to drive the lane.
“Joining the adidas family is a blessing and an honor and I am extremely excited for what lies ahead. Knowing that this elite brand is welcoming me into the family with such esteem gives me a great deal of pride. Our collaboration couldn’t be more organic both personally and professionally and I look forward to moving to the next level with the brand,” Wiggins said.
Wiggins, a Toronto, Canada native, racked up an impressive list of accolades during his freshman campaign at Kansas. The highly anticipated NBA prospect was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, first-team All-Conference and second-team All-American. During the 2013-14 season, Wiggins averaged 17.1 points per game, the highest scoring average ever for a Jayhawk freshman. Prior to his career at Kansas, Wiggins earned 2013 Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Gatorade National Player of the Year and McDonald’s All-American honors. Elite athleticism runs in Wiggins’ family, his mother, Marita Payne-Wiggins, was a two-time silver medalist sprinter for Canada in 1984 and his father, Mitchell Wiggins, was a first-round pick in the 1983 NBA Draft.
“Partnering with an elite talent of Andrew’s caliber continues our momentum and investment to the future of adidas,” said Chris Grancio, adidas head of global basketball sports marketing. “With our recent partnership success with first-time NBA All-Stars Damian Lillard and John Wall, and cultural icons Kanye West and Pharrell Williams joining the brand, we’re excited to welcome Andrew to the adidas family and we look forward to him contributing to our brand’s success for years to come.”
