Matt Varga “Passing the torch” in the NBA is so often an abstract concept; who will be the “face of the league” after the current torchbearers hang ’em up? How will a given team manage the hand-off between the franchise players of today to the players who will lead the organization into the next generation? The NBA viewership’s laser focus on those old vs. new concepts means we should celebrate when that initiative becomes tangible, and Kevin Durant just announced something very much to that affect.
Brought to the public via his media company Boardroom, the Slim Reaper just announced “Team KD,” an NIL/sponsorship platform presented as a joint endeavor with his alma mater, the University of Texas. Most relevant to our interests, a range of student-atletes who wear the orange and white will recieve exclusive PE gear, with Madison Booker sporting the KD 6 “Peanut Butter & Jelly” as the first announced sponsee.
Beyond simple endorsement deals, Durant and the Longhorns will host “an annual sports business summit open to all The University of Texas student athletes and sports business students with a goal of creating impactful, interactive programming to foster their education in the business space.” The first event is already in the works for later in 2026.
No doubt, this program will only expand as it works into its later stages. For now, check out shots of Madison Booker in KD gear as the first Team KD signee.
