On Monday, Stephen Curry announced a 10-year sneaker deal with Chinese sportswear giant Li-Ning.
Now, the Golden State Warriors superstar’s landmark deal is attracting criticism from a former NBA player.
Enes Freedom Criticizes Stephen Curry Over Li-Ning Deal
After a 13-year partnership with Under Armour, Curry announced that he is signing a 10-year deal with Li-Ning to expand the Curry Brand globally and beyond basketball.
In an announcement on social media, Curry called his deal with Li-Ning a “partnership of a lifetime” and a step towards transforming the game of basketball. ESPN’s Shams Charania later revealed that Curry will receive more than $400 million over 10 years for taking his Curry Brand to Li-Ning, and he will also have the ability to sign other athletes under his brand while also launching a golf line and athleisure wear.
However, not everyone is a fan of Curry joining forces with the Chinese company. Enes Freedom is an 11-year NBA veteran who suited up for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Portland Trail Blazers. The former NBA center called out Curry for partnering with a Chinese brand despite accusations of human rights abuses and forced labor.
“Stephen Curry signs shoe endorsement contract with Chinese company Li-Ning. He lectures America about ‘justice’ and ‘values’ while cashing checks from a company tied to the same Chinese system accused of forced labor, sweatshops, and brutal human rights abuses,” Freedom wrote on X.
Freedom also ripped Curry and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr for using their platforms to voice opinions about a number of political issues while staying quiet about human rights abuses in China.
“He and Steve Kerr talk a big game politically, but always seem to appease China. The NBA loves activism until China is involved. Freedom for sale,” Freedom said.
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Freedom has been a vocal critic of the human rights violations against the Uyghur population in China. He also previously criticized the NBA and LeBron James for not speaking out on the issue, claiming that they are prioritizing financial interests over human rights.
The 6-foot-10 center has also claimed in the past that his stance and activism have led to him being blackballed from the NBA.
Curry is the latest NBA player to sign an endorsement deal with Li-Ning, following in the footsteps of Warriors teammate Jimmy Butler and NBA legend Dwyane Wade.
