Stephen Curry Signs 10-Year, $400M Li-Ning Deal After Leaving Under Armour, Drawing U.S. Congressional Scrutiny

Stephen Curry has signed a 10-year, $400 million endorsement contract with Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning. Industry sources told ESPN's Shams Charania that the agreement ends a recruitment process that began after Curry departed from Under Armour in November. Curry announced the end of his sneaker free agency on Monday through a social media post.

The contract covers basketball products, athleisure lifestyle wear, the ability for Curry to sign athletes under his brand, and a full golf line. Li-Ning plans to build Curry Brand stores in the United States and in China. Curry chose Li-Ning over offers from American and foreign companies that carried similar financial commitments, including at least one brand that offered more, sources said.

One factor in the decision was his comfort while testing the shoes of Jimmy Butler, his fellow Warriors teammate, and Dwyane Wade. Curry's agent, Jeff Austin of Octagon, finalized negotiations in recent days. The partnership expands Curry Brand globally after his 13-year relationship with Under Armour ended with a mutual split announced in November.

U.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 provided to ESPN.

" Curry wore Nike Kobe 6 "Mambacita" sneakers to warm up pregame during a Warriors road trip in San Antonio while exploring other brands in the months after leaving Under Armour.

ESPN's Anthony Slater contributed to this report.