Basketball legend LeBron James revealed in a recent interview, that he turned down a $10 million offer from Reebok before eventually signing with Nike.
According to the Lakers player, he was just 18, when Reebok presented a mouthwatering contract to him, a contract which was quite tempting, given that he and his mom were not leading their best life at the time.
According to James, his mom told him that if Reebok were offering him such a contract, then it only meant that other companies like Nike and Addidas could be willing to pay more hence James’ mom advised him to trust his gut.
“Me and my mom were living in an apartment. Section 8 housing. I’m going back [after the meeting], I don’t have s—t. My mom looked at me. She said ‘Son, trust your gut. If they’re offering you this, who knows what the other companies may offer you?” – James narrated.
James eventually turned down the contract with Reebok and ended up partnering with Nike , a relationship which has lasted for decades.
James has been a Nike athlete since the global sportswear giant offered him a seven-year contract worth approximately $90 million with incentives before the 2003 NBA draft lottery.
James signed a lifetime contact with Nike in December. The deal was reported as the largest single athlete guarantee in the sports apparel company’s history and was negotiated by Paul Wachter, who helped sell Beats by Dre to Apple for $3 billion
