What better time to announce a business deal than two days before one of the biggest playoff series of your life?
That’s exactly what Dallas Mavericks’ NBA All-Star guard Kyrie Irving did when it was announced on Tuesday that his signature shoe line with Chinese sportswear company ‘ANTA’ had signed his father Drederick Irving on as an athlete.
Sources: Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving is signing the first signature athlete for his ANTA shoe line: His father, Drederick Irving.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2024
This marks the first time in pro sports a player has signed his dad to a signature shoe deal. pic.twitter.com/PB7ZXquVwY
Irving’s father has been courtside for numerous of his games this year and throughout his career. In speaking with The News last season, Irving said of his father, “He’s my biggest fan,” Irving said, “one of my harshest critics. But he’s always been honest.”
Multiple shoe designs for Irving’s ANTA line have been sported on the court this season, from his initial purple colorway to the latest ‘Chief Hélà’ design that he debuted in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Irving’s 5-year deal with ANTA that he signed back in Jul. 2023, after being dropped from Nike in Dec. 2022, gives him the ability to recruit other people to the company. He is also the ‘Chief Creative Officer’ at the brand.
Drederick Irving played basketball at Boston University prior to playing professionally in Australia, where his son Kyrie was born. It is reported that Derederick Irving’s shoe will be released in Foot Locker stores this September.
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