Among NBA players, Klay Thompson now ranks among the top 10 earners as a footwear ambassador.

Nick DePaula of Nice Kicks reports that Thompson has inked a big 10-year, $80 million deal with Chinese shoe company Anta.

Three seasons ago, Klay joined with Anta, which was a relatively unknown company—especially when it comes to major shoe endorsements.

“My knowledge of Anta was limited,” Thompson said to Nice Kicks. “Rajon [Rondo], one of my agent’s clients, was with them, and he told me this brand had amazing potential and that I could really dive into the Chinese market as well.”


This is Thompson’s fourth trip to China, where he is now on a 10-day tour. Klay gave Nice Kicks an explanation of why, at first, he was drawn to this obscure overseas company rather than going after a more conventional contract in the US.


“I knew it would be difficult for me to get a signature shoe with the other brands in the States, whether it was adidas or Nike,” Klay stated. “I anticipated having a great deal of creative input working with Anta. I had dreams of becoming Anta’s Michael Jordan one day. That struck a deep chord with me, and it excited me to think that I could achieve great success in China. Sometimes the US shoe market is oversupplied, so I reasoned, “Why not expand internationally?”


In 2014, Thompson’s initial contract with the corporation only provided him about $2 million a year. Since then, Klay has appeared on three All-Star teams, taken home two NBA Championships, and cemented his status as maybe the league’s best all-around shooting guard.


Since his success with Anta, Klay has positioned himself as one of China’s top-selling endorsers, having helped sell over 500,000 pairs of Thompson’s debut trademark shoe, the KT1. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to increase sales. Later in the fall, they want to release the KT3, in addition to a range of basketball gear, casual clothing, and lifestyle sneakers bearing the KT name.