Advertisement - scroll for more content
NBA games also had a bigger share of the entertainment TV pie in the first round, with games on ABC, ESPN and TNT drawing a 9.1 share (the percentage of U.S. homes with TVs on and watching the NBA). That’s the league’s best share ever for the first round.
Trae Young on All-Star Sunday: 'I didn't like the breaks. The games were so short'
Players expressed satisfaction with the action on the floor, but pointed out Sunday's tournament featured too many stoppages, as comedian Kevin Hart entertained the crowd at Chase Center with commentary and banter that halted play. "To be honest, I didn't like it at all," said Trae Young, a member of Chuck's Global Stars. "I didn't like the breaks. The games were so short. Obviously, we can score. So, they're trying to, I feel like, trying to extend the game, extend the TV time with the breaks and things like that."
In Doncic’s case, he will likely play alongside LeBron James for the remainder of his current contract, and potentially be the face of the Lakers for the next decade if he extends after 2026. He could unveil his upcoming Jordan Luka 4 sneaker as soon as his debut with the Lakers, and is locked in on a signature shoe deal with Jordan Brand until the fall of 2029.
You mentioned now only doing the “Blue Arrow” move after a big shot. How would you describe the mentality of taking and making a big shot? Jamal Murray: There’s no fear. There’s no, ‘What if?’ Or, ‘What’s going to happen?’ That’s the best part about it. Not even in sports, but during life, you think about what’s going to happen, the repercussions or the consequences.
Advertisement
Nonetheless, over half of the 58 players selected in the 2024 Draft have landed shoe deals of varying tiers, ranging from the simple product allotment of a “merch deal” to deals valued as high as $350,000 per year in cash, product, and potential bonus incentives.
After zeroing in on Pacers All-Star Tyrese Halliburton all summer long, Puma took a slower approach to this year’s draft. The brand did land product deals with a trio of players selected in the early 30s, locking in Baylor Scheierman of Boston, Tyler Kolek on the Knicks, and Johnny Furphy on the Pacers to footwear deals that have seen each begin the season in the Puma All-Pro Nitro model.
“I thought about (TV), but never thought, ‘This is going to be my path,’ ” said Johnson, who has worked in coaching, scouting and training since retiring as a player. “I think it’s going to be fun. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be me in a different light, breaking down the game and explaining it.” During mid-playing career stints in Los Angeles with the Lakers and Clippers, Johnson enjoyed speaking to team TV analysts James Worthy and Corey Maggette, respectively, who helped Johnson embrace becoming a veteran leader for those teams. His second-to-last NBA stop coincidentally was New Orleans, appearing in 26 games and making 13 starts for the 2018-19 Pelicans.
In landing the deal before his 18th birthday this December, the five-star prospect will continue his basketball journey with goals of soon reaching the NBA, with a key brand partner in Reebok already locked in to build alongside. “I’m just amped to see what we can do together with all the possibilities ahead,” framed Ament.
Malik Monk to sign deal with Peak?
Sacramento Kings spark plug Malik Monk is expected to finalize a deal with Peak, where the scoring guard will help to headline their latest batch of team models.
Advertisement
For Rivers, having Rondo around reminded him of his own journey from being an NBA point guard to a head coach. "I just think there's certain guys that should be a coach," he said. "It's funny, I never thought I was going to coach, and Pat Riley told me I'm coaching. I said, 'No, I'm going to do TV.' He said, 'You'll be a coach' and Pat Riley never relented. And when I did TV those first three years, he would send texts or letters like, 'Get your f---ing ass on the sideline.' And I feel the same way [with Rondo]."
“Maybe when I’m old and I can’t move the same, and I can’t go through people and get into the paint — maybe I start shooting more 3s,” he continued. “Maybe I start shooting more 3s and my percentage goes up. It’s kind of hard to shoot a lot of 3s, when you can get into the paint and shoot 75% in the paint. Your mind doesn’t let you. But maybe in the future, I’ll do it, when I’m 36, 37 or 38.”
For decades, signature athlete shoe deals have followed a traditional pay-plus-royalty compensation format. After signing a new signature shoe deal with Anta, Kyrie Irving is looking to change that, also becoming a key investor and executive officer of the global footwear marketplace platform Kicks Crew. Irving confirmed the news on his personal Instagram.
His first shoe launches on Dec. 15 and will be priced at an accessible $100 at retail. “Together with Scoot, we’ve built the Scoot Zeros to expand the narrative around signature footwear to stand for both the achievements and the journey itself,” said Max Staiger, Global Head of Basketball at Puma. “By picking up a pair of the Zeros, you join Scoot in his journey to further establish himself as one of the next generation’s basketball superstars.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement