Kyrie pairs with Chinese brand ANTA on shoe deal

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving has partnered with Chinese sports brand ANTA on a new shoe deal, it was announced Tuesday.

In a release, ANTA said that Irving’s signature shoes and lifestyle footwear will be unveiled early next year.

ANTA also said that Irving will serve as the brand’s Chief Creative Officer.

The agreement comes after Irving and Nike ended their partnership last December. The company initially suspended his deal after Irving posted a link on social media last October to a book and movie containing antisemitic tropes.

Irving had been with Nike since 2011. In 2014, he became the 20th player in NBA history to receive his own signature sneaker with the company.

Last month, Irving, 31, agreed to a three-year, $126 million deal to return to the Mavericks. The eight-time All-Star has career averages of 23.4 points and 5.7 assists, including 27.1 points and 5.5 assists per game last season for the Brooklyn Nets and Mavericks.