Stephen Curry’s commitment to his craft and mastery of the three-point shot has transformed the landscape of basketball. The inspiration that propelled him to this stage in his career emanated from various sources, extending beyond the basketball world, like taking some from the late martial artist Bruce Lee.
Though Bruce Lee has passed away, his legacy still lives especially in the heart of the Golden State Warriors star who shares so many similarities with the late icon. However, in an unusual event, Curry has displayed a unique collaboration with the late martial art legend.
Stephen Curry pays homage to Bruce Lee
Stephen Curry and Bruce Lee share several things in common, both were born in the Year of the Dragon, deeply connected to Oakland, California, and impactful in shaping their respective domains.
As 2024 approaches, not only does it mark the Year of the Dragon, but it also commemorates the 50th anniversary of Bruce Lee’s premature passing and the launch of his acclaimed film, Enter the Dragon.
On the occasion of Lee’s birthday, Curry Brand unveiled the initial phase of a collaboration paying homage to the Hollywood and martial arts icon. The first drop introduces the Curry 11 ‘Fire,’ the Curry 1 FloTro Luxe ‘Earth,’ and the Curry SlipSpeed.
A second release is slated ahead of the Lunar New Year on January 5, featuring the Curry 11 ‘Wind,’ Curry 11 ‘Future Dragon,’ and a second edition of the Curry SlipSpeed. The initial two releases are scheduled to debut in the APAC region on January 5, 2024.
The Unisex Curry 11 Bruce Lee ‘Fire’ Basketball Shoes are $160.00. The collection will culminate on Stephen’s birthday, March 14, with an exclusive drop of which details will be revealed in early 2024.
In crafting the color schemes, Stephen and the Curry Brand team embraced hues associated with the four elements of matter: wind, water, earth, and fire. Beyond celebrating Bruce Lee’s cinematic legacy, the design process delved into parallels between Stephen and Bruce Lee’s lives and careers.
Inspired by Bruce Lee’s renowned one-inch punch and the magic of Steph Curry’s shooting and gameplay, the design team recognized both as formidable tools symbolizing the immense courage and discipline required not just to pursue dreams but to overcome injuries, social challenges, and ascend to greatness.
Curry’s $1bn business venture
The basketball icon from the Warriors recently inked a hefty partnership with the Under Armour sportswear brand, securing the role of president for his very own Curry Brand. This potential lifelong agreement could amass a value exceeding $1 billion when considering annual base pay, stock equity, royalties from signature products, and on-court incentive bonuses.
Included in the deal are shares in Under Armour totaling $75 million. To date, Curry has accumulated $350 million in earnings from his NBA career, and this figure is projected to swell to $470 million by the conclusion of his current contract in the 2025-26 season. His income has been further boosted by a previous contract with Under Armour, coupled with endorsements from major entities like Google, JPMorgan Chase, Rakuten, and CarMax.
Beyond the basketball court, Curry has ventured into entertainment with his production company Unanimous Media, responsible for projects such as a multi-part Apple TV+ documentary, the ABC golf entertainment show Holey Moley, as well as various books and podcasts. Despite his substantial earnings thus far, the agreement with Under Armour stands out as his most lucrative venture, far surpassing previous deals.
The Curry Brand, introduced by Under Armour, serves as a counterpart to Nike’s Jordan Brand. Company founder Kevin Plank had remarked on the occasion, “I couldn’t imagine Under Armour without Stephen, or Stephen without Under Armour.” With this new deal extending beyond his active playing career, the brand’s focus will shift toward signing other athletes as endorsers for the Curry Brand.
If Curry attains billionaire status, he will join the ranks of legends such as Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James in achieving this elite distinction in the world of professional sports.
