BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses for a photograph backstage after being drafted the ... [+]
On Tuesday, New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in June's NBA Draft, announced on Instagram that he's signing with Nike Inc.'s Jordan Brand. His caption on the post simply saying, "Let's Dance #JUMPMAN."
Zion Williamson announces his shoe deal with Jordan Brand on Instagram Tuesday with a video.
Click here to view the video on Instagram. The Jordan Brand shared the same video saying, "Well, this should be fun. Welcome to the family @ZionWilliamson."
“I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of the Jordan Brand family," says Williamson in a Nike press release. "Since I was a kid, I dreamed of making it to the league and having the type of impact on the game Michael Jordan had and continues to have today. He was one of those special athletes I looked up to, and I really can’t express how happy and excited I am for this journey.”
Williamson signed with the brand four months after the former Duke University player hurt his knee when his Nike sneakers broke apart during a playoff game. Following the incident, Nike shares fell by 1.7%. Landing this deal was described as a necessity and is a big win for the company.
For months, fans and media have been speculating on what shoe deal Williamson will sign and Nike and Puma seemed to be the front runners. In the end, Michael Jordan's brand beat them out.
Jordan commented on the deal in a Nike press release saying, “Zion’s incredible determination, character and play are inspiring. He’s an essential part of the new talent that will help lead the brand into the future. He told us he would ‘shock the world,’ and asked us to believe him. We do."
The financial terms of the deal have yet to be released.
