Austin Reaves Signs 7-Figure Signature Sneaker Deal
Since entering the NBA as an undrafted free agent in 2021, Austin Reaves has been focused on securing his future in the league. The 25-year-old is expected to earn a big payday from a team this offseason and has already locked in a seven-figure signature sneaker deal.
Earlier today, Shams Charania of The Athletic posted an excerpt from an interview with Reaves where the unheralded shooting guard announced his new contract with the Chinese brand Rigorer.
Reaves told Charania that he felt blessed for his new sneaker deal. "If you had told me I would have had a signature shoe at 18, I would have looked at you and called you a liar."
Reaves is the first to admit that he had an unlikely path to becoming a signature athlete, but his play through two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers says otherwise. Reaves proved to be an unflappable role player throughout a tumultuous season in Los Angeles.
Rigorer AR1
A detailed look at Austin Reaves' shoe.
Reaves is expected to debut his first signature shoe at the start of the 2023-24 NBA season. The Rigorer AR1 will launch to the public later this summer, but there are currently no details on pricing or tech specs.
Reaves originally signed with Rigorer in 2022, becoming the company’s first NBA athlete. While the vast majority of basketball fans in North America have never heard of the brand, Rigorer is the official sponsor of CUBA (Chinese University Basketball Association).
Upon entering the NBA, Reaves wore Nike basketball shoes on the court, specifically models from Kyrie Irving's signature line. In his interview with Charania, Reaves wore a Nike hooded sweatshirt, so it is safe to assume Rigorer is lenient compared to other brands regarding its athletes' apparel off the court.
It is guaranteed to be a profitable summer for Reaves, and the first domino fell today with his new sneaker deal. Stay locked into FanNation Kicks for all your footwear coverage.
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