Ben Simmons in line for $135 million sneaker deal

COLLEGE basketball prodigy Ben Simmons is in line to land one of the biggest rookie deals in the sport, prior to even signing with an NBA franchise.

GAINESVILLE, FL - JANUARY 09: Ben Simmons #25 of the LSU Tigers looks on during the game against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 9, 2016 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)

LSU TIGERS sensation Ben Simmons could be in line for a major pay day, even before he is introduced to the NBA.

The likely No.1 draft pick was once again thrust into the spotlight this week after speculation surrounding the 19-year-old’s possible major sneaker deal came to light on SNY.tv.

Reports indicate Melbourne-born Simmons could land a deal from mega-giant shoe manufacturer Nike, worth as much as US$100 million (AUD$135 million).

Former sports marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro told SNY.tv it was likely the Aussie’s shoe deal would topple LeBron James’ $90 million contract signed with Nike in his first year out of high school in 2003.

“The number doesn’t astonish me, the number has been stagnant since LeBron,” Vaccaro told SNY.tv on Thursday.

“It would be the new precedent because LeBron was the last and (Simmons) has the makings in the mind of the NBA that he could be a great, great player. So that’s basically what they’re saying, he’s going to get a $100 million deal. I would understand that.”

Having signed Michael Jordan to his first sneaker deal at the beginning of his career for a then-record $90 million, Vaccaro knows a thing or two about the shoe game. The sneaker guru suggested the teen sensation may find himself the target of a bidding war, as the likes of Under Armour and Adidas look to bolster their emerging talent stocks.

Simmons already has ties with Nike through their sponsorship of LSU.

“Under Armour and Adidas may throw a number out there, maybe more to push it up,” Vaccaro said.

“I would say maybe ($100 million) is not enough because times have changed. We’ve seen $20 million-a-year contracts now but they’ve been for established players.

“Under Armour is on a roll with Steph Curry and they’ve gotta get another young one now and this kid is in a great position.”

If Simmons does live up to expectations and becomes the No.1 pick in the NBA draft, he will also sign a rookie contract with his team — possibly the Philadelphia 76ers or Los Angeles Lakers — with a figure around the $US5 million (AUD$6.8 million) a season mark quite likely.

The lofty numbers come as Simmons’ faltering Louisiana State University team appears likely to miss the end-of-season NCAA Tournament.

Simmons has averaged an astonishing 20 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in his freshman season while the LSU Tigers have had a disappointing 18-12 record.

However, the Tigers could still turn their season around.

They face nationally-ranked Kentucky Wildcats in the final game of their regular season on Sunday (AEDT) and then need to string multiple wins together in their South-Eastern Conference end-of-season tournament.

If they win the SEC Tournament they will guarantee themselves a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

— with AAP