Anthony signs shoe endorsement deal

BEAVERTON, Ore. - Towson Catholic alumnus Carmelo Anthony, who will likely be one of the first three players chosen in the NBA draft next month, has signed a multiyear endorsement contract with Nike, the world's No. 1 athletic-shoe maker.

Anthony, who led Syracuse University to its first national basketball championship last month, gave up his final three years of college eligibility on April 24 to enter the draft.

Company spokesman Mark Shapiro wouldn't disclose financial terms of the contract, although the ESPN sports cable network cited an individual it didn't identify on its Website as saying it's worth around $3.5 million annually for six years.

LeBron James, the expected first choice in the draft, could be close to signing a multiyear endorsement contract worth around $75 million with Reebok, the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal reported in yesterday's editions, citing numerous, unidentified sources.

Anthony has worn Nike products the past two seasons. Syracuse and Virginia's Oak Hill Academy - where he played his final year of high school basketball - used the company's shoes.