World Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin has landed a coveted endorsement deal with Jordan Brand, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.
“I’m very happy to be sponsored by Jordan and to join their other great athletes,” said Golovkin, who is also sponsored by technology giant Apple and has appeared in its national ads for the Apple Watch.
“We are excited to add Gennady to the Jordan Brand family,” Jordan Brand president Larry Miller said. “Gennady’s work ethic, dedication to his craft and style make him a perfect fit.”
K2 Promotions managing director Tom Loeffler, Golovkin’s promoter, who helped negotiate the deal, told ESPN.com they worked on the deal for more than a year before finalizing it last week and announcing it Tuesday. Terms were not disclosed.
“They flew him up to [company headquarters in] Portland, Oregon, twice while we were working on this,” Loeffler said. “When we were going through who would be the right athletic wear company for him, it was Gennady’s dream to sign with Jordan Brand because Michael Jordan was one of the athletes he held in high regard. He associated the Jordan Brand athletes with being the best on the court.”
“There is definitely financial and product compensation in this deal, but more important is the marketing campaign,” Loeffler said. “They want to have an international marketing campaign also. They see his popularity in the U.S. and overseas. They see his international appeal.
“He’s a good ambassador for the sport of boxing and for their brand. When you have the combination of being that exciting in the ring and being such a likable and respectful person outside the ring, that’s the type of athlete they want represent their brand.”
