Greg Oden Signs with Nike
Thu, 2007-06-21 23:50 — Berger
Greg Oden, the expected #1 pick in June 28th's NBA Draft has reached an agreement with Nike. The deal is a multi-year deal and terms were not disclosed.
Oden was in Portland yesterday to work out for the Portland Trail Blazers basketball staff. The Blazers have the #1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.
Nike's world headquarters are located in Beaverton, Oregon and Oden will likely be playing in the back yard of the shoe and apparel giant for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. If the Blazers were to pass on Oden, he'd likely remain in the Pacific NW and play for the Seattle Supersonics, who have the #2 pick in Thursday's NBA Draft.
Oden has shown in recent weeks that he has an engaging personality via his media interviews and his personal blog. Oden already has a deal with Topps but the Nike deal will likely be much more high profile.
Oden wore Nike shoes during his one season at Ohio State.
The Trail Blazers introduced former Nike Basketball VP/GM Larry Miller as their new team President yesterday.
More details about Oden's deal with Nike tonight at 6:30pm on Courtside Thursday Night on NewsRadio 750AM KXL and on this weekend's edition of Sports Business Radio.
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Oden's Marketability
Great show with Paul Allen, Bucher, et al today (6/23/07).
In your discussion on Greg Oden's marketability you mentioned that 'bigs' in the NBA often don't market well but that Oden could be an exception due to his personality which is now being evidenced by his blog. You mention Yao Ming as one big who has defied this rule of thumb (Yao seems like a bit of an unfair comparison due to his Chinese marketability).
The big I didn't hear you mention is Shaquille O'Neal. I think Oden could be very much like Shaq in the marketing world - personable big guys with thier own funny, quirkiness. If this is the case, it looks like Greg has a bright future given the number of endorsements Shaq has had over the years.
Thanks again for a great show.
"Ray"
L.O. OR
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