Lillard to opt out adidas shoe deal, detonating bidding war with rivals

Yes, they are and so are their subcontractors.

 

Nice contribution.

I tried to read the CBA but then fell asleep multiple times in the process. LOL

I think I do remember (Now that you mentioned it) that their was something in the CBA about this.

 

I know a lot of fans don't like to think this way, but these guys can't afford to turn down money. Brandon Roy got a max contract. Some people might argue that he never earned it. Some would argue that his body of work prior to the contract earned every penny. Either way, the guy was able to secure the future for his family because he was never going to get another big deal before he retired. Players don't want to think that they might have their careers cut short, but it happens. They need to make their money while they can, because the window can slam shut in an instant.

 

I think that what you are saying is fair.

I give credit to Lillard for staying 4 years in college and that speaks volumes to me but I do ponder if now that he's getting paid if he's going to do what ever he needs to do to maximize getting paid.

It's not really a concern, just an issue that is coming up that may or may not lead to a glimpse of the future when he goes to renegotiate with the Blazers.

 

Lillard isn't going anywhere. We can pay him the most and he's becoming the face of the team. This ain't Cleveland, and he ain't heading to South Beach, Hermosa Beach or Howard Beach.

 

That's not the issue.

Some people were saying they thought Dame would take less money to help the team, and I don't think that's the case. I think he's earned a max deal and he's going to get a max deal. There won't be a discount.

 

Of course not. Nor should there be.

And I understood the question as "He's opting out and leaving Adidas, might he leave us?"

 

If Batum is getting 12 million a year? I think your statement's a fair one.

 

You're spot on, maybe I should have stated in such fashion but I would like to put it into the context of "Would Damian opt out if he could get a similar deal with another team that the blazers could offer him if he could make more in endorsements?"

 

So much for that super loyalty he is always talking about. Then again having your entourage beat people up for you cannot be cheap, so get your money.

 

So, opting out of a sponsorship deal demonstrates that he doesn't have loyalty? If MJ opts out of his deal with Hanes to join the Fruit of the Loom team, is he unloyal as well?

 

I sat next to some Adidas employees at the Bucks game and they all think he's gonna leave for Nike.

 

Dame does seem to care most about his "brand". And since Nike gets the biggest stars, and has the largest global reach, it would seem that Dame would want to align with them.

 

Screw Nike an adidas, Lillard should get his shoes from this guy:
http://io9.com/the-perfect-shoe-say...utm_source=io9_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

 

Adidas is just showing that Lillard can be their Marquee guy for the Basketball brand, replacing D-rose. I kind of hope he stays there and gets his signature shoe. He probably would not on Nike.

 

Us old guys gotta think like a 20-25 year old. The majority of them don't think Adidas are cool, they prefer Nike/Jordan. Most of the top NBA stars & good college teams wear Nike/Jordan's. Adidas is a boring brand. They don't seem to do anything innovative. Their hoop shoes look like they belong in the 90's.

 

Basketball shoe wise you may be right. But elsewhere they very much are. Lillard is into fresh fashion / style which Addidas is sporting these days.

 

Damian Lillard is close to agreement on a multi-year deal with adidas.

adidas had a 30-day exclusive window to reach an agreement with Lillard.

“We’re close,” Lillard said on Tuesday. “Nothing final yet. I'm excited.”

As Haynes reported in February, due to Lillard reaching certain performance incentive clauses in his adidas rookie shoe deal, he was able to opt out at the end of the season to pursue a long-term, prosperous contract.

 

I think the only other player that had his own shoe was Drexler; which wasn't very popular. Could Dame's shoe actually be the first nationally recognized shoe that kids want to buy?