Report: Damian Lillard will make more than $100 million from Adidas
By Brad Rowland
Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard has already established himself as one of the best young players in the NBA, but if a report is accurate, he will also be one of the richest in the very near future. It has already been reported that Lillard has agreed to a deal with Adidas, but now, there is a report indicating that Lillard will make more than $100 million to represent the company.
USA Today’s Sam Amick reports on the specifics of Lillard’s deal:
"When it comes to the business of basketball and one man’s brand, no one has won in these playoffs quite like the Blazers’ second-year point guard whose Adidas deal is believed to be the third largest in the entire NBA. The contract — which his agent, Aaron Goodwin of Goodwin Sports Management, told USA TODAY Sports could be “well over $100 million” with very-reachable incentives and is expected to eventually include a signature shoe and apparel — was seen by some as a head-spinner when it was first revealed on April 14."
Lillard, who is only 24 years old, has already gained some national traction while starring in a high-profile Foot Locker commercial, but this is a new step for the former Weber State guard. His highly entertaining brand of basketball resulted in season averages of 20.7 points and 5.6 assists per game, and with Portland heading fairly deep into the playoffs as a result of Lillard’s heroics in round one, Adidas has to be salivating.
It remains to be seen if Lillard can make the full “leap” to superstardom, but at this point, I wouldn’t bet against him.