After much anticipation, pop culture icon and basketball phenom Lebron James has re-signed with Nike for an undisclosed amount.  Though terms of the contract were not discussed, James business partner Maverick Carter, CEO of LRMR, said the deal was longer than James original seven-year, $93 million dollar contract.

 

According to SportsOneSource, the Jordan Brand is a $1 billion business for Nike and commands 75% of the market share of all basketball shoes sold in the U.S. The rest of Nike’s basketball shoes (including the Kobe Bryant and James lines) hold 20% of the market.

 

In other endorsement news, New Balance has signed All-Star second baseman and former League MVP, Dustin Pedroia, to a multi-year endorsement deal.  “I have always been a fan of New Balance shoes for their great fit and comfort,” says Pedroia. “They are the last company that still makes shoes in the United States and that really impressed me.

 

Interestingly enough, New Balance was also responsible for its “Endorsed by No One” campaign in the mid 1990s that touted the fact that it didnt spend any money on athlete endorsements.