Top Influential Nike Athletes These Days
Some of the most remarkable figures in sports have been associated with Nike and their incredible accomplishments are inspiring – from Serena Williams to LeBron James, these Nike athletes stand as true leaders both on and off the court.
Let’s know more about the most influential Nike-sponsored athletes.
Nike is known for supporting some of the most successful Nike athletes in the world. From tennis superstars to hard-hitting footballers, these Nike individuals have achieved remarkable success and left lasting legacies.
Playing sports can reap you some serious rewards – from worldwide recognition to the admiration of fans. You won’t just play like a pro but live like one too. Elite Nike athletes now have the chance to sign million-dollar deals with major companies like Nike. It’s an incredible opportunity for them to help promote and share some of their success.
Nike has backed some of the biggest names in sports. From NBA superstars to soccer icons and beyond, discover who’s been wearing Swoosh-branded sneakers.
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Top Influential Nike Athletes These Days
10. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Sport: Basketball
Since becoming the NBA’s MVP in 2019 and 2020, this player has skyrocketed to amazing heights of success.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a fantastic year when he earned an impressive $9 million from his renewed Nike deal.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, aka the Greek Freak, has been awarded a stellar deal and it shows – his apparel was one of Nike’s most sought-after items this year! His previous agreement with the company stood at just $20k per annum – no wonder fans went wild for such an exciting upgrade.
Nike are making big strides in the basketball shoe market with their first signature shoes. These have quickly become a hit among players and fans, despite formidable competition from stars like Steph Curry and LeBron James.
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9. Russell Wilson
Sport: American Football
Russell Wilson is an XLVIII Super Bowl Champion and one of the most popular Nike athletes in the NFL, with millions around the world tuning into his social media posts. A leader on and off the field, Russell continues to make waves as a top quarterback for Seattle Seahawks.
Russell Wilson has proven his worth not only on the football field, but in business deals as well. He signed a four-year $140 million contract with the Seahawks and enjoys an impressive annual income of $35 million from Nike since 2016 – making him one hot commodity.
It’s no surprise that Russell Wilson is repping the Nike Swoosh on his jersey for the Seattle Seahawks – it’s become a symbol of success in itself. His merchandise sales are still soaring despite being one of, if not THE top-selling player across all NFL teams. Plus, even his start-up company Trace Me was recently acquired by none other than Nike themselves.
8. Chris Paul
Sport: Basketball
Chris Paul has been dominating the court as one of basketball’s top point guards for over 10 years. So it was only a matter of time before Nike offered up their own slam dunk and signed him to a contract in 2006.
Michael Jordan’s sneakers, the Jordan CP3 series, have been a runaway hit! The collection is now on its lucky 12th iteration.
While basketball stars Kevin Durant and LeBron James have signature sneakers, Chris Paul’s Jordan CP3 models still manage to shine bright in the competitive sneaker market.
It’s no wonder their influence has spread exponentially – they boast a combined following of over 22 million on popular social media platforms.
7. Carmelo Anthony
Sport: Basketball
When it looked like Nike was struggling to find its footing, they decided to take a chance on Carmelo Anthony – and the rest is history! He became the first athlete ever signed under the Jordan brand. It’s an iconic move that helped launch both of them into stardom.
After becoming the face of Nike’s Jordan brand, he created a line of sneakers that quickly became an iconic fashion staple. But unfortunately, after his 13th model released in 2017, production was discontinued for some unknown reason – leaving us to wonder what could have been.
6. Russell Westbrook
Sport: Basketball
Russell Westbrook is an undeniable basketball superstar and it’s paying off! In 2017, he made history with a ten-year deal from Nike’s Jordan Brand that will keep him at the forefront of this billion dollar brand through 2025. Now that’s what we call major success.
Russell Westbrook is raking in the bucks – not only from his whopping deal with Washington, but now he’s kicking off a shoe line that will take him on and off-court.
With a huge social network of 25.3 million followers, Russell Westbrook is one of Nike’s most influential sports stars! His influence reaches around the world and continues to spread every day.
5. Tiger Woods
Sport: Golf
Despite having “just” 11 million social media followers, Tiger Woods is still a force to be reckoned with. Don’t let the numbers fool you – he’s earned his place on this list.
Tiger’s fifth Masters’ win was nothing short of remarkable – and it left a lasting impression! In the wake of his historic victory, Nike stores sold out their Tiger Woods-branded merchandise. It seems everyone wanted in on this winning moment.
On one special day, Nike made an astonishing 22.5 million bucks – now that’s something to shout about. Tiger Woods’ career skyrocketed when he signed a lucrative $40 million deal with Nike as a professional golfer in 1996. Since then, the sports giant has proudly been his chief sponsor – and now they’ve supported him through almost 25 years of success.
Despite the struggles Tiger Woods has faced over the last decade, Nike remained a faithful supporter and have continued to sign deals with him. His resilience is truly remarkable.
After enjoying an unparalleled 24-year union, Nike and [name] have taken their partnership to the peak of success – earning the athlete a spot on our list of biggest Nike endorsers.
4. Rafael Nadal
Sport: Tennis
Nadal and Federer are a legendary duo in the world of tennis, holding an impressive joint record for most Grand Slam Singles titles.
Rafael Nadal has been a titan of the tennis courts since bursting onto the scene 20 years ago. His incredible achievements have made him an icon, and he’s had one constant companion for the ride – Nike.
He’s a real tycoon on the court; he previously struck gold with Nike by earning an epic ten million dollars for donning their signature swoosh. Now, even though we’re not sure what his new contract looks like, it must be just as lucrative.
3. Kevin Durant
Sport: Basketball
Kevin Durant is no stranger to success – not only has he become one of the biggest Superstars in the NBA, but his commercial value has skyrocketed. Nike has remained loyal throughout KD’s career and continues to benefit from being a part of this winning partnership.
In 2007, he made a bold move that paid off big time – rejecting an impressive offer of $70 million from Adidas in favor of a smaller one worth $60 million with Nike.
His agency, Roc Nation, worked tirelessly to score him a super successful contract with Nike. As part of this incredible deal, he now has his own signature line of sneakers and clothing emblazoned with the KD branding.
His social media presence is a force to be reckoned with—an almost astonishing 40 million followers.
2. LeBron James
Sport: Basketball
LeBron James is dominating the NBA as a megastar, with an impressive career that began in 2003. His rookie season saw him sign his very first contract with Nike – and it has been nothing but success ever since.
Basketball star Lebron James has been a part of the Nike family for years, with his most recent record-breaking agreement signed in 2015. This lifetime deal is reported to be worth over one billion dollars.
LeBron James and Nike continue to go strong – even after he hangs up his sneakers. The partnership has been incredibly lucrative, with the NBA king banking an impressive $32 million each year.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Sport: (Soccer) World Football
Cristiano Ronaldo has earned a reputation as one of the world’s most renowned athletes. His relentless work ethic and passion for success have made him an unstoppable force both on the soccer field, and in life.
He’s got a staggering audience of 270 million on Instagram, making him one of the biggest influencers in Nike’s roster. He is an absolute powerhouse.
In 2016, Nike secured two of the world’s top Nike athletes with lifetime deals worth over a billion dollars each – LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo. Talk about an investment.
Ronaldo is one of the most influential Nike athletes in the world, and it’s no wonder he helps to make a serious impact on Nike. His vast fanbase drives an impressive $474 million for NIke annually – far more than any other athlete represented by the brand.
Final Words
From the sports stars blazing trails and setting records to those leading the next generation of Nike athletes, has unveiled some amazing talents representing them on a global scale. Keep an eye out for these top influencers in sports.
These incredible Nike athletes have not only mastered their respective sports, but they are also some of the most influential and sought-after figures in the world. Whether you follow them on or off the field/court, these superstars will always make an impact.
Both Nike and their partners have struck gold with their successful collaborations. What a winning combination.
