Adidas sign James Harden to ‘$200 million deal’

James Harden  to play a role in the worldwide promotion of Adidas which will coincide with the start of the new NBA season.

AFP/New York

German sports giant Adidas on Thursday agreed a sponsorship deal with NBA superstar James Harden which was reported to be worth $200mn in a major blow to heavyweight rivals Nike. The contract for the 25-year-old Houston Rockets star takes effect from October 1 and is understood to span 13 years. Adidas said it would not divulge the value of the long-term deal although American sports network ESPN claimed it was worth $200m (180mn euros). “From the start of this partnership, Harden is going to play a role in the worldwide promotion of Adidas which will coincide with the start of the new NBA season,” said a spokesman. “He will also have a key role in creating and developing a line of sports shoes and clothing.” Last year, Adidas announced a 10-year link-up with English Premier League giants Manchester United worth a minimum £750mn (940mn euros). The group is also attempting to re-establish its foothold in North America in the face of competitors, Nike and Under Armour. Elsewhere, longtime NBA forward Tayshaun Price has reached agreement on a one-year contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, reuniting the veteran with his former coach, according to a report Thursday. Prince will receive the veteran’s minimum contract, Yahoo Sports reported, to play for Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders. Saunders and Prince were together with the Detroit Pistons from 2005 to 2008. Prince will be starting his 14th season in the NBA this autumn. The Dallas Mavericks signed center JaVale McGee. The 7-footer played in just 23 games last season for the Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets, averaging 4.6 points and 2.7 rebounds. He was waived by the 76ers in March after arriving from the Nuggets in a trade two weeks earlier. Drafted in the first round in 2008 by the Washington Wizards, McGee has career averages of 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots in seven seasons with the Wizards, Nuggets and 76ers. Former Miami Heat and Boston Celtics guard Zoran Dragic signed a two-year deal with BC Khimki in Moscow. Dragic, 26, is the younger brother of Heat point guard Goran Dragic. He spent last season with the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat, who acquired both Dragic brothers in February. The Heat traded Zoran Dragic to the Boston Celtics last month, and the Celtics waived him on Monday.