Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has made a remarkable career decision.
The NBA star, who is tipped to win the MVP award this year, has parted ways with his agent ahead of a huge summer that could see him sign a new contract extension.
Gilgeous-Alexander was previously represented by Thad Foucher of Wasserman but will now represent himself after letting him go.
This comes ahead of Gilgeous-Alexander’s eligibility to sign a super-maximum 4-year extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder worth close to $300 million.
Gilgeous-Alexander is currently on a five-year, $179,299,750 contract that runs through 2027.
Should the star sign his super-max contract, he will become the first player to have an $80 million annual salary in NBA history by the 2030-31 season.
The 26-year-old is enjoying the best season of his career and is having a MVP-caliber season for the NBA’s best team, averaging a league-best 32.5 points per game while shooting 52.3 percent from the field.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s success on the court has catapulted him into stardom and has seen him sign multiple endorsement deals worth millions of dollars.
Converse locked him up in 2024 in a $15 million-a-year deal while he also signed a multi-million dollar deal with sticker brand Panini.
In October 2023, the point guard joined soccer star Neymar Jr as the inaugural athletes for Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS brand, another indication of the NBA star’s global appeal.
According to Sportico, Gilgeous-Alexander earned $18 million in endorsements, putting him seventh among NBA players for off-court earnings.
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who penned a super max contract worth $285,393,640 over five years, reacted to the star’s decision on X.
“Love this,” Brown, who won the NBA championship last year, said on X.
Perhaps the most stunning part of this decision is the fact Gilgeous-Alexander will represent himself, something which is rare but not unprecedented.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is his own agent and negotiated a five-year, $260 million contract in 2023.
Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner, a six-time First Team All-Pro, became his own agent in 2019 and has signed four deals since.
NBA stars like Kevin Durant and Deandre Ayton also represent themselves.
While Gilgeous-Alexander has massive contract negotiations awaiting him in the summer, for now he’ll be kept busy by the Thunder’s push for their first NBA championship in 46 years, back when they were the Seattle Supersonics.
