Advertisement

Report: Nike won't match Adidas' offer to James Harden

By The Sports Xchange
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards forward Nene Hilario during the first quarter at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., March 29, 2015. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards forward Nene Hilario during the first quarter at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., March 29, 2015. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Nike has decided to let James Harden walk.

According to multiple reports Tuesday, Nike will not match Adidas' 13-year, $200 million contract offered to the Houston Rockets All-Star. So it looks like The Swoosh is out.

Advertisement

Nike has concerns about sinking that much money into one player. The shoe conglomerate had until the end of week to match the deal or lose Harden.

Harden has not officially accepted Adidas's offer.

Adidas is giving up its uniform deal with the NBA after Nike made a $1 billion bid in June to take over beginning with the 2017-18 season. Adidas replaced Reebok in 2006 but said in March that it would not seek to extend its 11-year, $400 million deal. Unlike during the deals with Reebok and Adidas, Nike's logo will appear on NBA game jerseys.

Harden signed an $80 million contract extension with Houston in 2012 that goes through the 2017-18 season.

Harden, 25, averaged 27.4 points, 7.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game last season, leading the Rockets to the Western Conference's No. 2 seed behind the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. He finished second behind Golden State's Stephen Curry in the media MVP voting. Harden won the MVP in the first NBA Players' Awards, beating out Curry.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines