Garnett signs lifetime Adidas contract

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Kevin Garnett signed a lifetime endorsement contract with Adidas, the world's second-largest athletic shoe manufacturer.
Adidas and Andy Miller, the agent for the Minnesota Timberwolves' star, declined to disclose financial terms Tuesday.
Garnett previously was under contract with Nike but left to join And 1, a shoe start-up based in Pennsylvania, before announcing the Adidas deal.
Adidas is a German company with U.S. headquarters in Portland, across town from rival Nike in suburban Beaverton.
"We're actually looking for Kevin to wear our shoes not only during his playing career but driving our basketball business long after his career on the court," Adidas spokesman Travis Gonzolez said.
Expansion is goal
Adidas has been trying in the past year to expand its share of the U.S. market for basketball shoes, which is dominated by Nike.
The Adidas endorsement lineup already features Orlando Magic guard Tracy McGrady, last season's leading NBA scorer, and Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player who joined Adidas this year after ending a five-year association with Nike.
Garnett, second to Duncan in MVP voting last season, will earn $28 million this year in the final season of a six-year, $126 million contract with the Timberwolves.
Miller said the negotiations included talks about Garnett possibly taking an executive position at Adidas after his retirement, similar to the role Michael Jordan has at Nike.
"He's only 27, so we haven't even formulated that scenario, but Kevin would enjoy learning about the athletic shoe and sports apparel industry and I think he's looking forward to it and having that opportunity," Miller said.
Nike paid more than $100 million this year to sign deals with top NBA draft picks LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. Kobe Bryant recently signed a five-year contract Nike for a reported $45 million.
The Los Angeles Lakers' star had been the top celebrity athlete spokesman for Adidas but he walked away from a six-year, multimillion-dollar endorsement last year before signing with Nike in June.
Bryant is facing sexual assault charges in Colorado. Adidas and Nike have declined to comment on the case.