Damian Lillard is a member of the NBA’s top 75th Anniversary Team and an eight-time All-Star. The eleven-year pro is leveraging his name, image, and likeness [NIL] to secure endorsements and investment opportunities off the court. 

 

The Bucks guard is one of the most recognizable players in the NBA. He is known for breaking opponents’ hearts with numerous game-winning shots.  

Damian Lillard’s Long-Term Partnership and Endorsements 

 

Lillard’s endorsement profile is lucrative, with partnerships such as Adidas, Spalding, Panini, Foot Locker, JBL, Hulu, Tissot, and Moda Health. Earning the Bucks guard well over $100 million. 

 

In 2014, after signing a ten-year deal with Adidas, Lillard expressed his excitement for the future. 

 

“Adidas has been great to me over my first two seasons,” said Lillard. “I’ve had the opportunity to wear a lot of great product, help design special versions of shoes, be a part of TV commercials and travel the world with the brand. I’m excited for what the future holds for me and adidas.”

 

“Damian has proven to be not only an amazing basketball player, but [also] a great partner, member of the community, and someone who creates excitement for our products,” Adidas, former head of global basketball sports marketing, said Chris Grancio in 2014. 

 

“His leadership and commitment to success on the court and his ability to interact and relate to fans through social media and the community make him the perfect fit to be one of the cornerstones of the Adidas brand.”

 

Lillard’s business acumen extends beyond just his endorsements. 

 

Damian Lillard’s Investment Portfolio

According to spotrac.com, Damian Lillard accumulated $279,348,442 over his 12-year NBA career. He invested in companies such as KICKS CREW, PlayersTV, Move Insoles, Real Estate properties, his music label Front Page Music, and Biofreeze, which Reckitt later acquired in 2021.

Lillard became a founding member of PlayersTV in 2020, a streaming platform that exclusively focuses on content related to athletes. Earlier this year, while speaking with PlayersTV, Lillard shared why the platform is essential in our era.

 

“I’m one of the founders of PlayersTV,” Lillard proudly declares. “So it’ll definitely be more and more things to come as one of the platforms that allow athletes to  own their content, especially with the era that we are in.”

 

“Everybody’s got a cameraman; everybody’s kind of letting themselves be known. 

 

Introducing themselves in that way. So I think because of that, you have the opportunity to own your stuff and to be able to put your [things] with your agenda and ideas in mind.”

 

Lillard partnered with KICKS CREW in 2022 to announce his investment in the company. They donated over 300 pairs of sneakers and other memorabilia apparel to the Brookfield community in Oakland, California.

 

“When I met with Ross Yip [COO and Co-Founder of KICKS CREW] and heard about KICKS CREW, it became less about me being an athlete and more so about me being a person,” Lillard told AfroTech in 2022. 

 

“We were aligned, especially, when it came to the community and giving back. As a business platform, you look at the streetwear market and everyone has the top tier goods, but at marked-up prices. With KICKS CREW, it felt approachable. I can find things for myself or my wife or my sister all in one place here because of KICKS CREW’s vast selection that caters to various types of customers. I haven’t seen anything like it.”

 

Once he retires from the NBA, the former Portland Trailblazers guard wants to add NBA ownership to his impressive portfolio. 

 

“Absolutely, absolutely, I’ll definitely be a participant in that,” Lillard shared with PlayersTV. 

Bucks’ Damian Lillard Sounds Off On Possible Ownership with @trailblazers:

– https://t.co/sakGP03l0o

“Absolutely, absolutely, I’ll definitely be a participant in that, @Dame_Lillard tells me. #RIPCity #FearTheDeer #NBA pic.twitter.com/xqlxy9lAaa

— Landon Buford (@LandonBuford) February 10, 2024

 

Damian Lillard Record Label Front Page Music

Lillard launched a record label ‘Front Page Music’ in 2016 featuring a hip-hop genre known as Dame DOLLA.

 

His debut album, “The Letter O,” features Lil Wayne, Juvenile, and Jamie Foxx, to name a few. 

 

In a Slam Magazine interview, DOLLA also describes his interest in collaborating with Common, Andre 3000, and Mary J. Blige.

“So when I’m done with it and people talk about my NBA career, I’m going to be able to go in my mancave or whatever and say, On this album I did a song with Mary J. Blige, and my mom used to play Mary J. Blige in the car when I was growing up,” said DOLLA.

“And in my neighborhood everybody liked 400 Degreez and I did a song with Juvenile.’ And I can just say, I had this NBA career, but I also did these songs with people that I’m a huge fan of.”

Later, in that same interview with Slam, Dolla said he raps for fun. 

“At the end of the day, I know that I do this for fun. But I also put the right amount of time into it. Obviously, I’m not going to just put out no bad product,” Lillard says. 

“When I’m getting whatever the criticism might be, from people that critique the Drakes and the Kendrick Lamars and Chance The Rappers and everybody else—when they critique my stuff, that lets me know that they’re looking at my music as if I’m one of them. That’s a step above what athletes usually get.”

 

He added, “I also know in my heart that this is not my primary job. I’m doing this with half the amount of time and half the mindspace to put into it than the people that’s doing it for a living.”

 

Since then, DOLLA has released four more albums, labeling Don Dolla his most complete project.

 

“ Most complete project I’ve put together. Top notch features and production. Have two singles from the project (The Way It Goes and Cabo) out already,” via his IG.

 

“Hit the link in bio to watch the visuals on YouTube and pre-save/pre-order the album on your favorite streaming service. Tap in!”

Damian Lillard’s diverse career interests include music, sports, and business. His dedication to excellence in every field he enters is evident in his parallel success on and off the court. Lillard continues to be a shining example of how athletes can use their platforms to create lasting success beyond their primary profession as he continues to build his legacy.

 

Damian Lillard’s potential ownership stake in the Portland Trailblazers will make him a significant and influential figure for years. His story is a testament to hard work, strategic thinking, and the power of following one’s passions.