Miami Heat's All-Star guard Dwyane Wade showed out Wednesday here for his deal with Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning, giving his respects to the company's boss Li Ning himself.
"I know him well. I've read many reports about him. Mr. Li is a very respectable person. He's done great job not only in sports, and I hope to have more co-operation with Li-Ning than sports," Wade said.
The two-time NBA champion signed a multiple-year sneaker contract with Li-Ning. The details of the contract was not disclosed.
Li Ning, 49, is nicknamed Gymnastic Prince as he won six gold medals in one World Championship in 1982 and six medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
"This is a special moment for myself, for my family and for Li-Ning," Wade said as he wiped off tears in eyes at the new conference. "I'm humbled to watch, listen to and think about this opportunity to do those for me and for the company."
Li Ning also said Wade is the person he longed to know. "Mr. Wade has a successful basketball career. What he's done in basketball encouraged lots of kids and won respects for him. We have similar sport careers and success, and I'm looking forward to further partnership with him."
Li Ning gave Wade the new shoes, the Way of Wade, for his coming games in China. The Heat will play two pre-season NBA games against the Los Angeles Clippers in Beijing and Shanghai.
Wade wore Converse for his first six seasons and then Jordan Brand for the past three years.
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