Andre Drummond launches his own shoe brand

The NBA veteran teams up with Stria Sport as creative director and investor

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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After failing to land a signature shoe deal with major brands, NBA center Andre Drummond has partnered with Chicago-based apparel and shoe company Stria Sport as its creative director and investor. Drummond, a two-time All-Star, will oversee the brand's basketball division and work directly with its pickleball athletes, with plans to launch his own signature shoe by the start of the next NBA season.

Why it matters

Drummond's deal with Stria Sport represents a unique opportunity for the veteran player to build his own brand and legacy beyond just being an NBA player. In an era where many top athletes struggle to land signature shoe deals, Drummond's ability to become a co-owner and creative director shows his entrepreneurial ambition and the potential for smaller, athlete-led brands to disrupt the traditional apparel and footwear industry.

The details

Drummond, who is currently a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, had been searching for a way to get his own signature shoe after his deal with the Jordan Brand expired. He connected with Stria Sport, founded in 2021, and the company offered him an equity stake and the opportunity to oversee the brand's basketball division as well as work with its pickleball athletes. Drummond said the chance to be hands-on in the creative process and build the brand was a key factor in his decision to partner with Stria Sport.

  • Drummond's deal with the Jordan Brand was set to end two and a half years ago.
  • A few months ago, Stria Sport reconnected with Drummond to offer him the opportunity to have a signature shoe and an equity stake in the company.
  • Drummond hopes to unveil his signature shoe by the beginning of the next NBA season, with plans to tease the shoe throughout the summer and training camp.

The players

Andre Drummond

A 14-year NBA veteran and two-time All-Star who currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Stria Sport

A Chicago-based apparel and shoe company founded in 2021, described as an 'athlete led performance, footwear, and apparel brand' with roots in basketball and other sports like pickleball.

Eric Porter

The founder of Stria Sport, who partnered with Drummond to offer him an equity stake and the opportunity to oversee the brand's basketball division.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes

Drummond's stepbrother, who plays professional basketball overseas and is a Stria Sport athlete.

Gabe Tardio

The No. 1 ranked men's doubles pickleball player in the world, who is part of Stria Sport's roster of athletes.

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What they’re saying

“We've been very patient on who we want to partner with. We spent the last couple years really laying out our foundation of where we really want to take this thing and what is our niche. To me, we're partnering with Andre Drummond the creative, more than just the basketball player.”

— Eric Porter, Founder, Stria Sport (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

“This isn't just a shoe endorsement deal or he has equity. It's, he's going to be overseeing everything, and that's what he had asked. He was like, 'I don't want to just do my own shoe, and that's it. He wants to be a part of it all.'”

— Eric Porter, Founder, Stria Sport (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

“This is something I want to pass down to [my kids]. It'd be cool for them they play basketball to have their own shoe. Who can say that? That's when people can go to school and say, 'Damn, I got my own shoe. Like, my dad owns a shoe company.' Like, that's not normal. So for me, that's how I envision it. I'm thinking about the later in life.”

— Andre Drummond (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

What’s next

Drummond and Stria Sport are currently in the 'design and development stage' for his signature shoe, with plans to unveil it by the start of the next NBA season.

The takeaway

Drummond's partnership with Stria Sport represents a unique opportunity for the veteran NBA player to build his own brand and legacy beyond just being a basketball player. In an industry dominated by a few major brands, Drummond's ability to become a co-owner and creative director of a smaller, athlete-led company shows the potential for disruptive business models in the apparel and footwear space.