“I can remember being on the call when I was contemplating leaving the Jordan Brand to come over to Li-Ning and thinking about all the things that could go wrong.” Dwyane Wade once stated about his decision to leave his idol’s (Michael Jordan) brand and pursue something of his own. That was in 2012, and now after 12 years, it’s not just him but other athletes who have now partnered with the Chinese Sportswear company worth $5.5 Billion. One of them is the Lakers point guard.

“It’s cool to apart of someone’s first 👟.” The Heat legend tagged his signature shoe series Way of Wade and D’Angelo Russell. DLo reshared the story and added, “Big Bro 🔥🔥🔥.” So far, not much information is available about these specific sneeakers.

The Lakers star has been part of Li-Ning after his contract with Nike expired in 2019. In December 2020, the 28-year-old received his first PE “DLoading” PE of the Li-Ning Wade All-City 8. As per Nick DePaula, D’Angelo Russell also has an apparel collection under the Way of Wade brand with his own “DLoading…” logo that was released throughout China.

As per Forbes in 2019, “Wade joined Chinese brand Li-Ning in 2012 after wearing Converse and Jordan to start his career. The three-time NBA champion signed a lifetime deal for his Way of Wade signature line with Li-Ning last year ahead of his final NBA season.”

That report estimated Dwyane Wade’s deal to be $12 million, and apart from Russell, they also signed two other people close to the 3x NBA Champion. Long-time teammate and confidant Udonis Haslem and Wade and Gabrielle Union’s eldest child, Zaire Wade.

The four of them were also part of the tour in China. After the global pandemic halted it for three years, they returned to Asia in 2023 for Wade’s annual event. Earlier this year, the Flash launched his Way of Wade 11, and added to his Instagram story, “12 years ago I made a decision which was unthinkable…” However, all seems well in the Wade world.

Looking back at Dwyane Wade and his early troubles with Li-Ning

As stated, before joining the Chinese Sportswear company, the 3x NBA Champion was with the Jordan brand. It was a short partnership with only 3 signature shoes, before he was with Converse and had 5 signature shoes.

In 2012, he won back-to-back NBA titles with the Miami Heat. So, parting ways with the Jordan brand was a shocker for many. After all, Li-Ning had its own troubles. In 2013, the stock price dropped by 15%, and the first Way of Wade received mixed reviews.

However, both parties continued to, and in 2018, Dwyane Wade signed a lifetime contract. At the time, he became only the third basketball player, alongside his idol Michael Jordan and his former teammate LeBron James, to sign lifetime apparel contracts. He wanted to create his own legacy, just like the Bulls legend did with his Nike deal.

Apart from the apparel collection, the Marquette alum also partnered up with the brand to collaborate on transforming young hoopers. The Wade Basketball Academy helps him achieve his dream which previously might not have been possible with the Jordan brand.