Sonny Vaccaro, the mastermind behind Michael Jordan‘s Nike shoe deal, is now expressing excitement for NBA rookie Victor Wembanyama. Vaccaro predicts that Wembanyama, a prodigious young basketball player, could secure an unprecedented and highly lucrative shoe deal, potentially even receiving a blank cheque. This comes 17 years after Vaccaro’s strategic move to keep Kobe Bryant at the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996, ensuring his Adidas shoe deal worth $1,500,000 wouldn’t go to waste.
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Considered a pioneer in the sneaker business, Vaccaro has a track record of securing lucrative endorsement deals for NBA athletes. He successfully negotiated Jordan’s initial $2,000,000 contract with Nike and has made accurate predictions about players in the current generation. As reported by TMZ, Vaccaro’s high hopes for Wembanyama suggest that the French star could earn the biggest and most unprecedented shoe deal in NBA history.
Sonny Vaccaro slyly planted Kobe Bryant at the Los Angeles Lakers to protect his $1,500,000 Adidas shoe deal
Sonny Vaccaro determined Kobe Bryant’s Lakers legacy for 16 seasons. As an Adidas executive, Vaccaro recognized the marketability of the 17-year-old high-school prospect. He arranged for Kobe to work out with Lakers GM Jerry West, impressing the former Lakers legend within 20 minutes.
Vaccaro understood the lucrative potential for Adidas and Kobe as an athlete. To execute Jerry West’s plans, Kobe needed to be drafted into the NBA and placed on the Lakers team.
In 1996, NBA teams rarely chose high school prospects as top picks, resulting in Kobe’s low 24th overall selection by the Charlotte Hornets. Immediately after the pick, the Hornets traded Kobe to the Lakers in exchange for center Vlade Divac.
Sonny Vaccaro meticulously conspired with Jerry West to bring Kobe to Los Angeles. Besides the Lakers, the New Jersey Nets also desired Kobe as a swingman. To prevent any other team from seizing the opportunity, Vaccaro spread a rumor among NBA executives that Kobe would depart for Italy after high school.
Ultimately, Jerry West successfully acquired Kobe for the Lakers, leading to five championships, including a three-peat. ESPN’s 30 for 30 ‘Sole Man’ episode provides further details on this story.
Sonny Vaccaro believes in the immense potential for Victor Wembanyama to change the trajectory of shoe deals
Victor Wembanyama, hailed as the NBA’s most anticipated prospect since LeBron James, carries immense potential and high expectations in the 2023 draft. This opens doors for lucrative marketing deals, including sought-after sneaker endorsements. Sonny Vaccaro, a seasoned executive, believes Wemby could secure an unprecedented shoe deal and deserves an unlimited offer.
Although currently signed with Nike and wearing Nike GT shoes while playing in France, Wemby may soon have his own line of signature shoes. This could lead to a more lucrative agreement.
Vaccaro proposes an initial offer of $15,000,000 per year, accompanied by a percentage of shoe sales. Only a select few prospects ever receive such remarkable offers. Vaccaro expresses profound admiration for Victor Wembanyama’s skills and eagerly anticipates his debut season this year.
