Young NBA Star Signs Huge Nike Contract and Gets Signature Shoe

There has been a lot of news in the shoe industry this week. One of the greatest players and sneaker sellers of all time, Stephen Curry, left Under Armour and became a sneaker free agent. Now, the very company that fumbled the opportunity to represent Curry has made shoe news by signing Cade Cunningham to a contract extension with the promise of a signature shoe. 

Shams Charania of ESPN reported, “Detroit Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham has reached a new six-year endorsement agreement to re-sign with Nike – and will receive his own signature shoe with the brand, his representatives at Excel Sports Management told ESPN. His signature shoe is expected to debut in 2026–27.”

Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons made some waves last season with a solid regular season and a feisty playoff run. This season, however, Cunningham and the Pistons have taken things to the next level. 

As of the contract extension, the Pistons are the number-one seed in the Eastern Conference at 11–2. They’re on a nine-game winning streak (the longest in the NBA) and look like they could potentially be the team to make it out of the East come June.

Much of the Pistons’ ascendence can be attributed to Cunningham having a career year in Detroit. He’s averaging career highs in points (27.5), rebounds (9.9), and steals (1.4) per game. While his shooting numbers are slightly down from last year, he is shouldering a heavier offensive load and leading the team to wins, the most important stat of them all.

If Cunningham continues to dominate and the Pistons keep winning, the signature shoe he will release next season could be one of the hottest shoes on the market. The NBA is thirsty for a new American superstar, and Cunningham could certainly be him.