Jeremy Lin Leaves Nike for Adidas

NBA star Jeremy Lin has signed a new endorsement deal with adidas leaving rivals Nike.

The Houston Rockets point guard had previously been signed to industry leader Nike, which released an orange and blue Lin sneaker in 2012 when Lin played for the New York Knicks. Bloomberg.com reports that his deal with Nike had lapsed and that Nike chose not to match the Germany-based adidas’s offer.

Though Lin tells Bloomberg.com that there are no immediate plans to release a new sneaker, the release states the Harvard University grad will be “featured in a variety of upcoming adidas marketing initiatives and will play a role in the development of basketball footwear and apparel.”

“I’m really excited to join the adidas family,” said Lin in the release. “They’ve changed the game with new technology and style and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Lin, who is the first Taiwanese-American or Chinese-American player to play in the NBA, was the feel-good story of the sports world in 2012, emerging from the end of the Knicks bench to lead the struggling team to a seven game winning streak. “Linsanity” swept the globe, leading to cover stories in Time magazine and Sports Illustrated.

“Jeremy’s relentless drive, passion for the game and background of leading winning teams throughout his career makes him a perfect fit for the Adidas brand,” said Chris Grancio, adidas head of global basketball sports marketing.

Lin signed with the Rockets as a free agent before the 2012-2013 season for a reported $25 million over three years. Lin is currently averaging 14.1 points and 4.2 assists through 25 games.

Lin was the star attraction of the Rockets “Global Games” preseason exhibition against the Indiana Pacers at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last October, contributing 14 points, six rebounds and five assists in a 116-96 rout.

Other NBA stars that are inked with adidas include Lin’s teammate Dwight Howard, plus Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, John Wall of the Washington Wizards and Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.