Nike and Adidas are in the early stages of an bidding war for "the next LeBron James" that's already rumored to be in the neighborhood of $180 million over the next 10 years.
Andrew Wiggins is drawing comparisons to The King on and off the hardwood, as the "18-year-old freak of nature" readies for what will likely be his one only season as a Kansas Jayhawk.
"Everybody is excited about Wiggins' talent," a source associated with Under Armour told BleacherReport.com. "From everything you see or hear, he's the next kid coming into the NBA that's going to demand, on talent alone, a significant amount from a brand. That type of commitment and interest for a rookie has really died down since LeBron and maybe Kevin Durant being the last one."
"Adidas is easily the front-runner, 100 percent," Rich Lopez, the publisher of the popular sneaker website KixandtheCity.com, told BleacherReport. "From what I'm hearing, Adidas is really high on him," added another industry source. "I've heard a range for sure, from like $140 to $180 million for like 10 years. That's a big deal for a kid coming out of school because most rookie deals are probably like four years."
But with Wiggins having worn Nike throughout much of his high school and AAU days, Nike is certainly still considered to be in the game. Nike is considered to have a potential end based on the relationship Wiggins has with James agent and Nike rep Rich Paul.
One NBA agent told BleacherReport he'd "be surprised" if Wiggins didn't end up with Paul and Nike.
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