The Chinese sneaker brand Anta has announced record profits for 2023 after a major move to bring Kyrie Irving into their brand by naming him Chief Creative Officer and becoming the new home of exclusive Kyrie sneakers after his relationship with Nike ended.
"According to the Chinese sports company, overall revenue increased 16.2 percent to a record 62.36 billion Chinese yuan ($8.63 billion based on current exchange) from 53.65 billion yuan in 2022, The company’s namesake brand saw revenues increase 9.3 percent in 2023 to 30.31 billion yuan..."
It's also been reported that Anta sold over 25 million pairs of basketball sneakers in 2023. Irving signed with Anta after being let go from Nike during the heat of his anti-Semitic scandal. Nike's decision was not made with their bottom line in mind, as indicated by the success Anta is having with Kyrie on their side now.
Kyrie's debut sneaker, the 'KAI 1' released earlier this month and has been an extremely popular pair. Retailing at $125, the show was inspired by Irving's Native American ancestry. It features intricate graphics and details, paying homage to his heritage. The shoe's design resembles Irving's previous Nike signature line, notably incorporating a mid-cut construction and a midfoot strap for lockdown, reminiscent of the Kyrie 6.
Sales figures for the new Kyrie shoes won't be public yet, but it has been a popular hit among hoopers and Irving's legions of fans.
Kyrie Irving Was Excited To Join Anta
After he was announced to join Anta, Irving released a positive statement about his new association with the brand.
“I’m incredibly excited about this collaboration. The first step in becoming partners is to share the same dreams, goals, and missions. ANTA’s rapid development over the years, openness to creativity, willingness to embrace family and teamwork, and expertise in areas like product innovation and manufacturing processes have left a remarkable impression on not just me, but also my A11Even team who will work side by side with me in creating something truly generationally special.”
With 10 games of the regular season remaining, Kyrie will be rearing to ensure his Dallas Mavericks ensure a playoff spot. It would be great for his new shoes to be on his feet while he's dazzling fans in the postseason alongside Luka Doncic. The Mavericks are currently the No. 6 seed in the West, holding a record of 43-29.
He is the healthiest and happiest he has been in a long time. The Mavericks are going above and beyond to keep Irving happy, even hiring a private chef to travel with the team to prepare meals for Ramadan.
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