‘I’m So Grateful For Their Backing’: Klay Thompson Signs Lifetime ANTA Deal At Beverly Hills Ribbon Cutting

Grant AfsethFebruary 13, 2026February 13, 2026

NBA: Klay Thompson participates in the ANTA U.S. flagship ribbon-cutting ceremony in Beverly Hills alongside Kyrie Irving.

Photo by Rashad Miller/DallasHoopsJournal.com

Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson has signed a lifetime endorsement contract with Chinese sportswear giant ANTA, formalizing a partnership that began more than a decade ago and helped establish him as one of the brand’s global ambassadors.

The announcement was revealed Friday and coincided with ANTA’s grand opening of its first North American flagship store in Beverly Hills during 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend festivities in Los Angeles. ANTA Brand CEO Samuel Xu helped share the news at the event, where Thompson appeared alongside executives and city officials.

For Thompson, the agreement represents the culmination of a partnership that began when he first signed with ANTA ahead of his fourth NBA season.

“ANTA was taking a chance on me, and I was taking a chance on them. It was a match made in heaven,” Thompson told footwear industry insider Nick DePaula. “When I started wearing ANTA, my career just took off. I was able to break some records, win some championships, play in All-Star Games and Olympic gold medal games.”

He added: “I’m so grateful for their backing, and it’s inspired me to keep going. My time in Asia, the Philippines, and all over the world has been so special. To grow the game and see the fans is something I don’t take for granted and will cherish for the rest of my life.”

From KT1 to KT11

Thompson’s first signature shoe, the ANTA KT1, was released in December 2015. In 2017, he signed a reported 10-year extension worth up to $80 million. Over time, his “KT” line expanded to 11 signature models, with more than 10 million pairs sold worldwide.

The latest edition, the KT11, serves as Thompson’s current on-court model. To commemorate the lifetime contract, ANTA unveiled a special KT11 “Make it Forever” colorway featuring premium detailing to symbolize the permanence of the partnership.

The growth of Thompson’s signature line has paralleled ANTA’s rise in global basketball footwear. The company now operates more than 12,000 stores across China and continues expanding internationally, including its new 2,500- to 3,000-square-foot flagship at 330 N. Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills.

The store is positioned as ANTA’s U.S. brand hub, featuring performance running, lifestyle products, signature basketball lines and immersive athlete storytelling. The opening ceremony included a ribbon cutting with Thompson, fellow Mavericks star Kyrie Irving, and local officials.

A Rare Lifetime Deal for Klay Thompson

Lifetime footwear contracts remain rare in the NBA landscape. Thompson joins a select group of players to receive such agreements, including LeBron James and Kevin Durant with Nike, and Damian Lillard with Adidas.

Unlike some players who launch standalone sub-brands, Thompson’s agreement cements his long-running KT signature line within ANTA’s broader basketball portfolio rather than creating a separate brand umbrella.

ANTA has also expanded its NBA presence in recent years, signing players such as Donte DiVincenzo, Caris LeVert and Daniel Gafford. Irving, who signed a five-year partnership with ANTA in 2023 and serves as ANTA Basketball’s Chief Creative Officer, has helped elevate the brand’s profile in North America.

Global Impact and Cultural Reach with ANTA

Thompson’s relationship with ANTA extends beyond product launches. He has visited China multiple times and developed a strong fan following, often referred to as “China Klay.” Those trips have included youth basketball initiatives and appearances aimed at growing grassroots participation in the sport.

ANTA executives have described Thompson as foundational to the company’s modern basketball identity, crediting his championship visibility and consistent on-court production with accelerating the brand’s credibility among performance consumers.

The lifetime partnership signals ANTA’s intent to keep Thompson as a central figure long after his playing career concludes, tying future footwear innovation and global basketball initiatives to his legacy.

Klay Thompson’s On-Court Performance in Dallas

Thompson, a five-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion, ranks fourth in NBA history with 2,837 career three-pointers. Since initially signing with ANTA, he has added multiple championships and two All-NBA selections to his résumé.

In his current season with the Mavericks, Thompson is averaging 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 37.5% from three-point range.

As ANTA establishes its first permanent U.S. retail footprint and deepens its investment in signature athletes, Thompson’s lifetime contract positions him as a long-term pillar in the company’s global basketball strategy — a partnership that began as a calculated risk and has now evolved into a permanent alliance.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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