Kyrie Irving Signs Father Drederick To Signature Shoe Deal
Drederick Irving was given an early Father’s Day gift when his NBA son, Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving signed him to a shoe deal with ANTA Sports, the company he has a professional relationship with.
According to 5 NBC DFW, Kyrie, who is preparing to play in his fourth NBA Finals on June 6, presented Drederick with a deal that will allow his father to release his own signature shoe under the ANTA Sports brand. This makes it the first time a professional athlete has signed his parent to a shoe deal, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Sources: Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving is signing the first signature athlete for his ANTA shoe line: His father, Drederick Irving.
This marks the first time in pro sports a player has signed his dad to a signature shoe deal. pic.twitter.com/PB7ZXquVwY
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2024
Kyrie signed to ANTA Sports after sneaker giant, NIKE dumped him in December 2022. The point guard signed the latest deal in 2023. The shoe reportedly will be released in September exclusively in Foot Locker stores.
Kyrie was able to sign his father since he is the ANATA Sports’ chief creative officer.
Drederick, who hails from the Bronx, also played basketball growing up. He played for Adlai E. Stevenson High School before taking his athletic skills to Boston University. He played professionally in Australia. Former NBA player, Rod Strickland, who is Kyrie’s godfather played basketball with Drederick when both were sharpening their basketball skills.
This news comes on the heels of the sneaker company announcing that it will release the ANTA KAI 1 “Playoffs Energy” in a Yellow colorway. The sneaker which will retail for $125 is available exclusively on anta.com.
Kyrie and the Mavericks start the NBA Finals on June 6 at 8:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden against the Boston Celtics. It’s a return for Kyrie as he was a member of the Celtics for two years when he was traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers on August 22, 2017. He played with the team until he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2019.
Kyrie Irving Signs Father Drederick To Signature Shoe Deal
