Li-Ning has signed Evan Turner, the No. 2 pick in this year's NBA Draft, to a multi-year endorsement deal.
The former Ohio State guard was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers.
“This is truly a game-changing moment for the Li-Ning brand,” said Li-Ning's Brand Initiative Director for Basketball, Brian Cupps. “Adding a supreme young talent like Evan Turner sends a message to the global basketball community that Li-Ning basketball is committed to being a player on the global stage.”
Turner, who played collegiately for the Ohio State Buckeyes, led the Big Ten Conference in scoring for two straight years averaging a near double-double in points and rebounds during his collegiate career. The Chicago native led the Buckeyes to a 2010 Big Ten Conference Championship and consecutive NCAA tournaments, including a sweet sixteen appearance.
He was the 2010 recipient of the Naismith Award, the John Wooden Award
and the Associated Press Men's College Basketball Player of the Year.
“It's great to have the support of a company that's as eager as I am to perform at the highest level possible,” said Turner. “I am excited to be part of a growing brand and to blaze a new path for future young ballplayers everywhere to follow.”
General Manager for Li-Ning International, Jay Li, envisions a bright future for Turner. “We are thrilled to have another star representing Li-Ning,” he said. “To compete and be relevant as a performance sports brand, you need representation of some of the world's best, and we know we're getting that in Evan Turner.”
Specific financial terms of the multi-year contract were not disclosed.
Turner however will be showcasing his own Li-Ning Sports signature footwear and apparel product line, available globally, beginning in the second year of this agreement. Turner will also play a major role in Li-Ning's global marketing plans beginning immediately.
Li-Ning recently established a base to pursue growth for its U.S. business by opening up an R&D facility in Portland, OR. It also this year opened up a flagship store there. In early August, it announced that it had partnered with Champs Sports around the U.S. launch of the Baron Davis sportswear collection.
Besides Baron Davis, Li Ning's NBA endorsers include Shaquille O'Neil, Jose Calderon and Hasheem
Thabeet.
Li Ning is the No. 3 manufacturer of sneakers sold in China, after Nike and Adidas, but only a sliver of its sales now comes from abroad.
