Goat partners with Washington Wizards player Rui Hachimura

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Feb 18, 2020

Sneaker and apparel marketplace Goat has entered a new partnership with up-and-coming Washington Wizards player, Rui Hachimura. 

As part of the two-year partnership, the 2019 rookie -- currently sponsored by Nike's Jordan brand -- will promote Goat throughout the NBA season, as well as ahead of the 2020 Olympics. He will wear rare sneakers and apparel provided by Goat, and Goat will work with the Jordan brand to align on sneakers for Hachimura, the company said. 

"We're thrilled to partner with Rui as his passion and talent exemplify greatness on and off the court," said Eddy Lu, co-founder and CEO of Goat Group. "This partnership will allow us to further connect with our global community of basketball and sneaker fans. In addition to being one of the most promising rookies, Rui's influence in Japan and greater Asia Pacific is massive. We look forward to supporting him on a global scale."

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"Being a part of the Goat family is very exciting," said Hachimura. "I grew up watching basketball and have been a fan of sneakers since I was a kid. Goat not only gives me access to new releases, but also sneakers from the past – sneakers that I wasn't able to get as a kid. I'm looking forward to elevating my collection over the next few years to show off my style."

The second Japanese player to be drafted into the NBA, Hachimura previously signed a sponsorship deal with G-Shock in November 2019. 

Previously, Goat launched a first-of-its-kind partnership between a resell platform and an athlete through a deal with Los Angeles Lakers player, Kyle Kuzma, in October 2018. The partnership, which began at the same time that Kuzma was a Nike-sponsored athlete, was recently extended in January, just a few months after Kuzma entered into a five-year endorsement deal with Puma.