James Harden, Adidas agree to $200M deal

The Beard just cooked a big deal to switch from the swoosh to the three stripes.

Houston Rockets star James Harden accepted a 13-year, $200-million deal with Adidas, putting him as the new face of the company’s strong basketball campaign.

“We’re a brand of creators and James embodies that more than any athlete in the game. His addition to the Adidas basketball family is a game changer,” said Adidas global basketball general manager Chris Grancho in a press release.

He added, “The partnership gives him the opportunity to achieve his goals and express himself in a totally new way as a creator. He’s already one of the most recognizable sports figures because of his game, his look, his hunger to win and his style on and off the court. His ceiling is far from reached, which tells you the future for him and our brand looks incredible.”

Adidas pried Harden away from Nike after the latter was unwilling to match the offer given to the three-time All-Star.

Harden finished second in the Most Valuable Player voting last year to Stephen Curry, and led the Rockets to a Western Conference Finals appearance where they fell short against eventual champs Golden State Warriors.

His deal with Adidas will put him at the forefront of the company’s basketball campaign, together with guards like Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, John Wall of the Washington Wizards, and Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Houston teammate Dwight Howard also represents Adidas.