Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson has become the seventh NBA player to secure a lifetime sneaker contract, formalizing his decade-long partnership with Chinese brand ANTA in what marks the company’s first lifetime endorsement agreement in basketball. The announcement came Feb. 14 during ANTA’s first North American flagship store opening in Beverly Hills, timed to coincide with NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
The deal positions Thompson as central to ANTA’s North American expansion. Thompson first partnered with ANTA in 2014, then signed a 10-year deal worth up to $80 million in 2017 after his third season with the Golden State Warriors.
What the partnership includes
Thompson’s agreement does not include his own brand or sub-label—unlike lifetime deals signed by Michael Jordan with Nike, Dwyane Wade with Li-Ning, or Stephen Curry with Under Armour (since terminated). Instead, the contract extends his signature line and ensures his continued involvement in product development. ANTA Brand CEO Samuel Xu announced the partnership at the Beverly Hills flagship opening.
The partnership gives Thompson access to ANTA’s 12,000 stores across Asia. Since his first signature model—the KT1—launched in December 2015, more than 10 million pairs of Thompson’s ANTA shoes have sold. The is his latest edition. ANTA also unveiled a special-edition KT11 “Make it Forever” colourway featuring diamond inlays to mark the lifetime agreement.
ANTA’s North American push gains NBA credibility
The lifetime contract arrives as ANTA expands its North American presence following successful partnerships with other NBA players. Thompson’s Mavericks teammate Kyrie Irving joined ANTA in July 2023 as Chief Creative Officer on a five-year deal. Irving’s signature basketball shoes and casual trainers have gained popularity whilst helping recruit additional NBA talent to the brand, including Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo, Detroit Pistons wing Caris LeVert, and Dallas centre Daniel Gafford. Thompson joins Wade as the only NBA players with lifetime contracts from Asian footwear brands.
Chinese fans affectionately know Thompson as “China Klay” following multiple promotional visits focused on grassroots basketball development. ANTA notes Thompson has used his influence to encourage broader participation in streetball, helping fuel the growth of basketball culture in China. The company says he will continue supporting youth basketball development and inspiring young players globally.
