Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid have each been honored with the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the last four seasons, underscoring their remarkable performances and significant impact on the court.

Despite their impressive accolades and the high profile that comes with such achievements, an interesting aspect of their professional lives stands out: neither player is currently endorsed by one of the leading sports shoe brands in the United States.

This is particularly notable given that MVPs often become prime candidates for high-profile endorsement deals, typically aligning with top athletic brands to enhance their visibility and marketability.

This unusual scenario has prompted discussions among basketball enthusiasts and industry insiders, leading to various theories about why two of the league’s most celebrated players might be overlooked by major footwear companies.

Gilbert Arenas, a former NBA star with a reputation for his candid observations, has offered his own perspective on the matter. According to Arenas, there could be several reasons behind this endorsement anomaly.

He suggests that while Jokic and Embiid are undoubtedly exceptional talents, their marketability might not align with the strategic goals or branding priorities of the major shoe companies. Arenas proposes that these brands might be focusing their endorsements on players whose playing style, personal brand, or market appeal more closely matches their current marketing strategies.