Oh how the mighty have fallen.
Earlier this decade, Derrick Rose was one of the most exciting players in the NBA, winning an MVP with the Chicago Bulls and turning that team from a doormat of a franchise to a perennial championship contender. However, after sustaining a severe knee injury in the first round of the 2012 NBA playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, Rose has been on a treadmill of mediocrity that he hasn't been able to get off of ever since.
Late last week, we reported that the point guard's latest battle with injury has led to him taking an indefinite leave of absence from the game. In fact, the former all-star has been seriously considering retirement over the past few days, a decision that would sadden many fans of the sport but, in another way, could prove to be beneficial for Adidas, the sportswear giant that Rose has an endorsement deal with. He launched his eighth signture shoe with the company back in July, hoping that his signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers could at least partially help resurrect his career and prospects of winning a championship. Now, according to ESPN's Nick DePaula, if Rose hangs 'em up, he could save Adidas up to $80 million.
The extension that Rose signed with the footwear maker in 2012 did in fact protect them if his injury history began to catch up with him. There are still 7 seasons and $80M on the deal, which states that Adidas has to produce a signature sneaker for the basketball player each season. However, if retirement paperwork is successfully filed, that will void the agreement Rose has with the brand and they wouldn't be obligated to continue sending him checks.
It's just another chapter in what has been a somewhat nightmarish post-2012 run for Rose, which has seen him play for three different franchises amid his inability to stay on the court for long periods of time. Like Amar'e Stoudemire before him, the mental part of constant injury rehab cannot be underestimated and, in this specific case, could spell the abrupt end to the career of a player many thought was going to dominate the NBA for the better part of the 2010's.