What happened: Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry's 10-year endorsement deal with Chinese brand Li-Ning is worth more than $400 million, industry sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Charania reported Curry fielded comparable financial commitments from other brands, including at least one more lucrative offer, but chose Li-Ning to power the Curry brand.
Why it matters: The figure puts hard numbers on the landmark Li-Ning agreement first reported earlier this week, underscoring a rare case of a marquee American star anchoring his signature line to a Chinese company. Curry's decision to pass on a higher offer signals the deal was structured around control and global reach for the Curry brand rather than top-line dollars.
By the numbers: The reported terms span 10 years at more than $400 million, an average exceeding $40 million per year across the life of the agreement.
What to watch: Watch for confirmation of the deal's structure, brand-equity and signature-line terms, and Li-Ning's rollout plan for the Curry brand in international markets.