If Kevin Durant is an expert on what the kids are into these days, Under Armour has some big problems.
In an interview with Bill Simmons on his eponymous podcast, Durant shared his opinion of Under Armour’s assortment of basketball shoes.
“Nobody wants to play in Under Armours, I’m sorry. The top kids don’t because they all play Nike,” Durant told Simmons, according to Bleacher Report. “Everybody knows that. They just don’t want to say nothing.”
Durant said that because Under Armour has shoe deals with certain schools, like the University of Maryland, some college-bound athletes will choose to go to other schools that instead provide gear from brands like Nike.
Alternatively, if the kids grew up in a school system that has a relationship with a particular brand, Durant says they may stay with that brand when they go to college.
"Shoe companies have a real, real big influence on where these kids go," Durant said.
In 2014, Nike outbid Under Armour and re-signed Durant to an endorsement deal. Under Armour offered between $265 million and $285 million, which Nike matched, and the star elected to stay with the brand.
