In His Shoes
Sports Illustrated India|March 2018

Derrick Rose’s shocking decline continues. So why is Adidas still paying him superstar dough?

L. Jon Wertheim
In His Shoes

IF NBA PLAYERS came with a stock price, late February 2012 represented the peak of the market for Derrick Rose. A fearless point guard for the Bulls, Rose was not only the reigning league MVP; at 22, he was also the youngest player ever to win the award. He had currency and street cred to burn. This was a time when LeBron James had zero NBA titles and polarised fans, still chafed by his Decision. Kobe Bryant was aging. The work-in-progress Warriors would finish that lockout shortened season 23–43.

Rose’s agents were aggressively renegotiating his deal with Adidas, and during All- Star weekend Rose re-signed, consecrating one of the most lucrative endorsement contracts (reported to be worth $185 million over 14 years) in the history of sports.

Recently SI obtained his 40-page contract with Adidas, and the document shows just how far shoe companies are willing to go to accommodate an athlete. The deal called for annual retainers of $12 million per season from 2012–13 until ’16–17. (This season, he is entitled to $11 million.) It also included annual royalties of up to $6.25 million per year, as much as $4.8 million in annual appearance fees and use of a private plane. Reggie Rose, Derrick’s older brother, is paid between $250,000 and $300,000 annually as a consultant. And Adidas also pledged $150,000 per year to the AAU team of Rose’s choice.

This story is from the March 2018 edition of Sports Illustrated India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 2018 edition of Sports Illustrated India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED INDIAView All
Hockey World Cup- India Gears Up For Glory
Sports Illustrated India

Hockey World Cup- India Gears Up For Glory

Hosts India will have to play out of their skins to win their second Hockey Men’s World Cup title.

time-read
10 mins  |
December 2018
Best Fitness Games For Workout
Sports Illustrated India

Best Fitness Games For Workout

If going to the gym and bulking up the body is your idea of getting in shape, it’s time you reconsider it. From bodyweight training to resistance and high-intensity workouts, here is how you can ace the fitness game without giving up on your workout targets for the year yet again.

time-read
7 mins  |
January 2016
Novak Djokovic Has Proved His Mettle Yet Again
Sports Illustrated India

Novak Djokovic Has Proved His Mettle Yet Again

Sport can be cruel and unforgiving, but it is also humbling. Over the years, many great athletes have succumbed to the various forces in playmost of which, if not all, are not under their controland while some could never reclaim their past glory, others showed why they really can never be counted out. Novak Djokovic is one of them

time-read
9 mins  |
October 2018
Do Virat Kohli's Captaincy Skills Call For A DRS?
Sports Illustrated India

Do Virat Kohli's Captaincy Skills Call For A DRS?

No doubt Virat Kohli is the best batsman to have emerged from India in recent years. He is a lion among kittens, Atlas shouldering the weight of India's batting. But, as a captain overseas, he has a long way to go.

time-read
10+ mins  |
October 2018
Lebron James
Sports Illustrated India

Lebron James

In 2016, Northeast Ohio’s Favourite Son Used His Incomparable Skills to Deliver a Title to a Suddenly Revitalised City, While Using His Voice to Have an Even Wider Impact.

time-read
10+ mins  |
January/February 2017
Winter Workout: Hot Moves For Cold Days
Sports Illustrated India

Winter Workout: Hot Moves For Cold Days

With the advent of the chilly months, it can become tough to brave the cold and train when all you want to do is curl up under a warm blanket. Trainer Raoul Hirani and physiotherapist Tariq Wasim tell us how professional footballer keep going, without letting the cold play spoilsport.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2015
A Steep Learning Curve
Sports Illustrated India

A Steep Learning Curve

Making the transition from the junior level to the senior team has been quite challenging but a hugely rewarding experience.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2016
Scorecard - Don't Blame It on Rio
Sports Illustrated India

Scorecard - Don't Blame It on Rio

Apathy towards the Olympics could cast golf in a negative light and jeo paradise its standing with the IOC for the 2024 Games and beyond.

time-read
5 mins  |
June - July 2016
Rahul Dravid: The Great Wall Of India
Sports Illustrated India

Rahul Dravid: The Great Wall Of India

Rahul Dravid’s contribution to Indian cricket or, rather, the game, is not just confined to his record with the bat. A true philosopher, he continues to inspire as well as serve cricket on and off the field.

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2016
P.V. Sindhu, Sportsperson Of The Year
Sports Illustrated India

P.V. Sindhu, Sportsperson Of The Year

A Dream Run at the 2016 Olympics was followed by major successes on the International tour, making Sindhu the unanimous choice for the sportsperson of the Year award

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2017