For an NBA star, there’s a lot of money to be made off the court through endorsements.
And Dwyane Wade has certainly taken advantage of sponsorship opportunities over the course of his impressive career.
The 37-year-old — who will retire at the end of the season — has a partnership with athleticwear company Li-Ning, which began in 2012. Wade signed a lifetime deal with the Chinese sneaker brand in July. While details of the contract were not reported, the athlete reportedly earns multimillions annually from the brand and was also given equity.
Wade began his career working with Converse, signing a deal with the American company in 2004. The 13-time All-Star then moved on to Jordan Brand, which he was signed with from 2009 to 2012.
Aside from Li-Ning, Wade works with about a dozen other brands, including Gatorade, Hublot, Mission Athletecare, The Tie Bar, Stance, Sandals Resorts and New Era. On Feb. 11, he launched a collection of socks with Lids.
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The three-time NBA champion is married to actress Gabrielle Union and has made his personal interest in fashion known over the years. In 2017, he launched a nine-piece line with DSquared2, available at Saks Fifth Avenue. He has produced his own lines of socks, neckties and underwear.
According to Forbes, the Chicago native earned $31.8 million in 2018, making him the No. 42 highest-paid athlete globally. About $14 million of that came from endorsements, with his Heat salary and winnings accounting for the remaining $17.8 million.
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