Bobby Portis Signs with AND1, Leaving Nike for His Underdog Brand
Mar 19, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) dribbles the ball against the Utah Jazz during the first half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Bobby Portis surprised the basketball world by ditching his iconic Nike Kobes to sign with AND1. The Milwaukee Bucks forward became the brand’s sole NBA representative, marking a turning point in his career following a split with the Oregon giant.
A Break from Nike in Favor of Entrepreneurship
The separation between Portis and Nike was far from smooth. « I got cut by Nike for launching my own brand, » Portis revealed to Andscape. In 2019, the former Arkansas standout launched his clothing line Underdog, offering t-shirts, sandals, and caps. This entrepreneurial venture, warmly received by his fans, created tension with his longtime sponsor.
For five seasons, Portis continued wearing his Nike Kobes on the court, including exclusive pairs worth thousands of dollars on the resale market. But behind the scenes, his relationship with the brand that had supported him since his days on the AAU Nike EYBL circuit had deteriorated.
« If I were to drop this person in any hood in America, could they get busy on that streetball court? » @and1basketball‘s Dexter Gordon and new signee Bobby Portis are platforming underdogs from the asphalt all the way up to the NBA@andscape @JohnGotty https://t.co/ZBykqt5bSb
— Ian Stonebrook (@ianstonebrook) April 9, 2026
AND1 Bets on Streetball Authenticity
Dexter Gordon, AND1’s global brand director, had had his eye on Portis for a long time. « My philosophy is simple: if I drop this person in any neighborhood in America, can they shine on a streetball court? » Gordon explains. Portis’s game, forged on the streets of Little Rock, Arkansas, perfectly matched AND1‘s DNA.
Talks began three years ago during the 2023 FIBA World Cup with Team USA. « I had been trying to work with Bobby for a while, » Gordon confides. « We love working with guys who built everything from the ground up. »
Portis now wears the AND1 Racer SE 4.0, a reimagined version of the model worn by Stephon Marbury during the NBA 1998 playoffs. Priced at $110 and available in June, the shoe gives Portis something Nike never offered him: full creative control.
« I had a lot of control over how they look and feel, » Portis emphasizes. « Creative control. That matters to a player. » His exclusive pairs feature « BP » and « Underdog » on the tongue, reflecting his personal journey marked by 18 moves during childhood.
This season, Portis is averaging 13.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while shooting 45.6% from three. His partnership with AND1 fits into a broader trend of NBA players gravitating toward smaller brands that offer greater authenticity and personal involvement.
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