Stephen Curry Signs 10-Year, $400 Million Li-Ning Deal After Leaving Under Armour

Stephen Curry signed a 10-year, $400 million endorsement contract with Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning, industry sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal ends a recruitment process that began after Curry and Under Armour announced a mutual split in November following a 13-year partnership.

Industry sources cited growing frustration over underinvestment from a brand whose valuation had declined.

Curry announced the end of his sneaker free agency on Monday through a social media post. The agreement covers basketball products, athleisure lifestyle wear, the ability for Curry to sign athletes under his brand, and a full golf line. Terms were not disclosed in the announcement.

Li-Ning plans to build Curry Brand stores in the United States and in China. Curry's agent, Jeff Austin of Octagon, finalized negotiations in recent days. Curry chose Li-Ning over offers from American and foreign companies, including at least one brand that offered more money, sources said.

One factor in the decision was his comfort while testing shoes worn by fellow Warriors teammate Jimmy Butler and by Dwyane Wade. S. government and human rights groups as using forced labor to produce their goods.

Li-Ning merchandise was banned in the United States in 2022. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican who co-chairs the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, said Tuesday that he plans to ask the Department of Homeland Security to examine Li-Ning imports.

"Steph Curry is one of the most talented and watched basketball players in the world, which is exactly why this matters," Smith said in a statement.

Curry began testing multiple brands during a Warriors road trip in San Antonio, where he wore Nike Kobe 6 "Mambacita" sneakers to warm up before a game and continued rotating through options in the following months. ESPN's Anthony Slater contributed to this report. The article was published on June 1, 2026, at 5:56 PM ET.