Warriors superstar Stephen Curry and sportswear brand Under Armour go back a long way. The two stalwarts in their respective fields joined hands in 2013, paving the way for a historic partnership. Both parties were on the brink of unprecedented success at the time.
The sports brand and Warriors guard agreed to a $4M per year deal. As the years passed, Curry’s immense popularity and success greatly benefited Under Armour. It turned out to be a significant regret for Nike, who didn’t give him the desired respect, including a pitch with several botch-ups.
Fast forward to 2024, and nobody would have imagined the two-time MVP even to hold a pair of Nikes, forget autographing them. However, an exception was made for comedian and actor Desi Banks, who managed to pull off the unthinkable, getting Curry to sign his pair of Nike white Air Forces.
Stephen Curry Of Under Armour’s Nike Exception For Desi Banks
Banks should consider himself fortunate enough to get the face of Under Armour, Steph Curry, to sign his Nike Air Forces. Meeting the four-time champion back in the locker room after the Warriors home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the American comedian had the ultimate fan moment. Curry told him,
“This the only one I’m ever gon do.”
Steph signed a pair of Nike’s for comedian Desi Banks. “This the only one i’m ever gon do”
Had to get Steph to sign the white forces iykyk
#BlackAirforceBehavior
(via @iamdesibanks) pic.twitter.com/2huHowKbhP
— TheWarriorsTalk (@TheWarriorsTalk) December 9, 2024
While signing, Curry said this as he pointed towards the brand logo of his t-shirt, stating his lifelong loyalty towards Under Armour. The 2022 Finals MVP was gracious enough to not let Banks down but ensured this was an exception.
The History Between Nike and Under Armour’s Stephen Curry
One of the biggest names in sports brands, Nike has carved a niche for itself with a sizeable market share and regular buyers. The Oregon-based company’s association with the NBA is no secret, having some of the biggest names under its umbrella, including the likes of Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and the late Kobe Bryant.
Nonetheless, they missed a golden opportunity when it came to Curry, thanks to their misplaced assessment. As per Pat Benson of Kicks on Sports Illustrated, Nike’s first meeting with the Warriors guard was nothing short of a disaster, with the representative making several errors.
During the meeting, they reportedly mispronounced Stephen as ‘Stephon’ and had a PowerPoint slide with Kevin Durant’s name. From what appeared, the Phil Knight-owned company didn’t see a lot of hope in the baby-faced assassin, something that continues to haunt them to this day.
Steph Curry’s Association with Under Armour
Nike’s loss turned out to be a game-changer for Under Armour. Today, the ten-time All-Star has his own brand with the Baltimore-based company, similar to Nike’s Air Jordan. The association between the two entities extends beyond the game of profit and loss. A prime example of this being their philanthropic efforts, creating opportunities for today’s youth.
The 36-year-old guard has over ten signature sneakers with Under Armour, something that is set to continue for many years to come, given the superstar’s lifetime deal with the sporting giant. Though their partnership hit a rough patch in 2018, they were able to salvage the situation, showcasing the immense trust between the two. It will be interesting to see how the brand navigates itself as Curry enters the latter of his prime years.
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