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The Detail About His Mother That Nearly Moved Kevin Durant to Under Armour
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- The Detail About His Mother That Nearly Moved Kevin Durant to Under Armour
In 2014, Kevin Durant faced a decision that could have changed the direction of his signature sneaker line. Under Armour offered the NBA star between $265 million and $285 million over 10 years, but Nike ultimately retained him with a deal worth up to $300 million.
The offer came as Durant's original Nike endorsement agreement approached its expiration. Under Armour wanted to strengthen its position in the basketball footwear market, and landing the reigning NBA MVP would have given the company a major name to build around.
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The proposed package included company stock and additional incentives, including plans for a community center named after Durant's mother. According to CBS Sports' report on the negotiations , Nike initially offered about $20 million annually, leaving Durant's representatives at Roc Nation Sports to consider the competing proposal.
Nike, however, had the contractual right to match an outside offer. The company exercised that option in August 2014, keeping Durant in its lineup of prominent basketball endorsers. The agreement was expected to run for another decade, with royalties helping push its potential value to $300 million.
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7)Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Durant confirmed his decision on social media, writing that he was excited and humbled to sign back with Nike. The announcement ended a bidding battle that had placed one of basketball's biggest stars at the center of a major endorsement decision.
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The stakes extended beyond Durant's personal earnings. Under Armour had signed Stephen Curry away from Nike in 2013 and was looking to expand its presence in basketball footwear. Adding Durant would have given the brand another elite player to headline its basketball business.
For Nike, retaining Durant protected an established signature line and prevented a direct rival from acquiring one of its most marketable athletes. The deal also demonstrated how valuable a superstar endorsement could become when competing brands were willing to make substantial long-term commitments.
Ultimately, Durant stayed with the brand he already represented, while Nike secured his services for another 10 years. Under Armour's reported offer had raised the stakes, but Nike's matching rights helped keep the partnership intact.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
