After the successful launch of his AR 1 signature shoe, Austin Reaves has landed a new contract making him an equity partner of Rigorer.
When Lakers wing Austin Reaves first signed a shoe deal with Rigorer towards the end of his rookie season, his announcement photo took place in a local Los Angeles gym. The deal made the undrafted 23-year-old player the Chinese company’s first NBA athlete endorser, marking an uphill climb for both ahead in the ever-competitive global sneaker game.
A year later, Reaves had earned his role as a breakout all-around playmaker for the Lakers, was named a member of USA Basketball’s roster for the FIBA World Cup, and was launching his very own signature shoe with Rigorer in front of thousands during a frenzied event in the Philippines.
Now, Reaves is locking in for the long-term with a new signature shoe deal extension with Rigorer.
negotiated by his agents Aaron Reilly and Reggie Berry at the AMR Agency, will earn Reaves north of seven figures per year on the deal, along with royalties from sales of his signature product.
“I’m proud to continue this partnership with Rigorer,” said Reaves. “The team is incredible, and we’ve developed a signature shoe that I’m proud to put my name on, representing both high performance and accessibility. The team has welcomed me like family and I will always appreciate them for believing in me at this early stage of my career.”
Not only will Reaves continue to build out his signature AR series with the brand, but he will also become an equity partner of the overall Rigorer company. Reaves will claim a substantial amount of shares during each year of the deal.
“As players, we’re aware of how the value of brands that we endorse and work with can really grow,” Reaves added. “To be able to enter into an equity partnership with Rigorer was a big deal for me, knowing that we can truly grow this company together going forward.
Rigorer launched in 2014, founded by former Chinese Basketball Association player Lin Chenyao. The 6’5” small forward began the company with a simple ethos — “from basketball players, to basketball players.”
After establishing itself through an apparel business that focused first on basketball jerseys, tanks and uniforms for school programs and club teams throughout China, the company later launched footwear, just before landing Reaves as its first NBA athlete endorser.
Adding Reaves not only as an endorser, but as an entrenched corporate partner, will drive the brand’s charging mantra even further.
“We are very excited that Austin becomes a shareholder of Rigorer as part of this extension,” said Lin. “It shows long-term commitments from both parties to continue growing and elevating this company. Austin will be heavily involved in the product development process to help create great product for basketball players around the world. We’re looking forward to further establishing our company’s ‘from players to players’ philosophy together ahead.
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