John Kim 
As you may already know, Kevin Durant’s original 7-year $60 million contract with athletic powerhouse Nike officially ended sometime last week. The NBA MVP’s value as a product endorser has risen meteorically since he first inked that deal thanks to his steady success in the league as well as his likeable personality, and the KD appeal will only continue to rise. What remains unanswered is the question of which brand he will continue to represent; after reportedly rejecting an offer from adidas, there are now two brands left for Durant to decide on, and his selection will likely be one that stays with him for the rest of his career.
Coming into the fray is Under Armour, a multi-billion dollar brand headquartered in Baltimore, MD. Although its basketball division is still in its early stages, UA has shown dedication in growing the category; they remain as the sole competition to Nike for two major reasons – the brand is situated in KD’s hometown, and they’re ready to offer a much more generous package in terms of compensation. So, considering the scenario that has Durant switching to UA, we asked our readers on Twitter if they’d rock an KD x Under Armour sneaker. Let’s see how they responded!
1. My loyalty is with Nike and not Kevin Durant.
The most obvious response to Kevin Durant leaving Nike and joining another brand is that their loyalty remains with the brand and not the player. Nike has produced the best designs in basketball and with a slew of young players like Kyrie Irving and Paul George in the mix (let’s not forget LeBron and Kobe), Nike Basketball will continue to be the industry leader with or without KD.
2. My loyalty is with Kevin Durant and not Nike.
Durant’s built a hardcore following and is certainly one of the most likeable superstars in sports today. If he joins Under Armour, he’ll bring with him his true fans (and their dollars).
3. Under Armour isn’t a Basketball brand yet
Under Armour Basketball is just a few years in, but they’ve shown true dedication in building a stable of reputable NBA stars (Steph Curry). Still, there is a ways to go for the Baltimore brand, and taking on a big superstar might not make the impact the brand believes it will.
4. The only thing that matters is performance/design
For basketball players, nothing matters more than performance. The logo, in the end, may mean nothing, and if Under Armour can produce a comfortable shoe, the buyers will follow. Plus, there’s the potential to shift the balance of powers.
