Philadelphia 76ers center and reigning league MVP Joel Embiid is nearing a deal to join Skechers’ new basketball division, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Mike Vorkunov.
Embiid is one of three players that is expected to join the brand, and he will begin wearing the company’s new shoe in games once his deal is completed.
“Skechers, the popular footwear brand, is starting a new basketball division and is in deep discussions about adding a high-profile endorser to anchor the launch,” Charania and Vorkunov wrote.
“Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, the NBA’s reigning MVP, is nearing a deal to become Skechers’ star pitchman, industry sources briefed on the talks told The Athletic. A deal has not been signed yet, but Embiid wore a Skechers shoe for the first time during 76ers practice Wednesday with the brand’s performance staff on site as he begins to test out the sneaker, sources said. Embiid will begin wearing the new Skechers shoe in games once the deal is fully complete, according to a source.”
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle – a two-time All-NBA selection – and Los Angeles Clippers wing Terance Mann are also expected to sign with Skechers.
“Skechers is expected to launch its new basketball division with a class of NBA players,” Charania and Vorkunov wrote. “While Embiid would cause the biggest ripple, New York Knicks All-Star Julius Randle and Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann are expected to sign with the brand as well, industry sources said.”
Embiid is a massive acquisition for Skechers, as he’s one of the best players in the NBA and has won back-to-back scoring titles.
The Sixers star should give the Skechers brand a recognizable face to help the launch of its basketball division.
Last season, Embiid averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 54.8 percent from the field and 33.0 percent from beyond the arc. He and the Sixers are hoping to compete for a title in the 2023-24 season.
As for Randle, he’s really become one of the game’s better forwards the past few seasons in New York.
An All-NBA selection in the 2020-21 season and 2022-23 campaign, Randle averaged 25.1 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Playing in a big market like New York, Randle should help showcase the Skechers brand on a national stage.
Mann is more of a role player compared to Embiid and Randle, but he also plays in a major city in Los Angeles.
For Skechers, this is a solid initial group of NBA players to help jump-start the brand’s basketball division.
It will be interesting to see if Embiid can help bring more players to the brand over the course of the 2023-24 season and beyond.
