NBA Star Kyrie Irving Signs 5 Year Shoe Deal With ANTA

NBA star Kyrie Irving officially signed a 5-year business collaboration with Chinese sportswear brand ANTA.

More than just a shoe deal, the Dallas Mavericks guard has been appointed the ANTA Basketball's Chief Creative Officer and will have the ability to recruit other basketball players and celebrities to join the ANTA team.

ANTA released a statement about this new, exciting partnership with the NBA star.

"As a new member of the ANTA family, Kyrie Irving will not only actively serve as ANTA Basketball's Chief Creative Officer, but he will also seek to recruit basketball players, independent brands, influential figures in pop culture, artists, musicians, pioneers in environmentalism, trailblazers in humanitarianism and designers to also collaborate with him to create additional product lines under Kyrie's signature line," ANTA said in a statement.

Irving, 31, also released a statement about this new development.

"I'm incredibly excited about this collaboration. The first step in becoming partners is to share the same dreams, goals, and missions," he said in a statement. "ANTA's rapid development over the years, openness to creativity, willingness to embrace family and teamwork, expertise in areas like product innovation and manufacturing processes have left a remarkable impression on not just me, but also my A11Eventeam who will work side by side with me in creating something truly generationally special."

Irving announced his new partnership on Instagram explaining that this is "bigger than a shoe deal."

"Everybody comes into your life for a Reason

Some people come into your life for a few Seasons

But only a few will stick by you for a lifetime.

I AM Proud to announce that I am Partnering with Anta as Chief Creative Officer," his IG caption began. He then continued to talk about the partnership and his "full circle moment."

"It’s an honor to welcome them into my A11Even TRIBE as they have welcomed me into the Anta FAMILY. As Chief Creative Officer, I will push our teams domestically and internationally to unite like minded Trailblazers who have the vision to create and build their craft to transcend the footwear/Apparel industry for generations to come," his caption continued.

"This is truly a full circle moment that I will not take for granted nor under appreciate given the many obstacles it took to get here. This Partnership is for all of those who want to change the world. Join me on the journey. This is #Biggerthanashoedeal???♾"

Many of the NBA star's fans and followers hopped into the comment section to support this big move.

"I guess I’ll be buying Antas for the first time," one person wrote. Another added, "Only Kai could make us wear Anta. ??"

ANTA also took to Instagram to share the news with their followers.

This partnership comes about a year after Nike ended its contract with Irving after he faced backlash for sharing a link on Twitter to a documentary that contained an antisemitic message. Irving's Kyrie 8 shoe was set to launch last year before the controversy, but Nike canceled it despite Irving's signature shoe line being one of the top selling shoes for Nike.

Responding to a recent tweet asking about who has the highest selling signature shoes, Irving shared some information.

"My signature line made the previous brand I was with over 206 Billion in Revenue the past 7 years," he replied. "I can safely say, I am one of them ones out here in the competitive shoe market, dominating."