Steph Curry signs with Chinese brand after Under Armour split

Getty ImagesLi-Ning has more than 7,000 stores across Asia.The deal is Curry's first collaboration with a Chinese brand. He partnered with Nike at the start of his career before moving to Under Armour.He joins a growing list of NBA stars that have signed with Chinese brands, including Dwayne Wade and Jimmy Butler with Li-Ning and Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving, who are partnered with Anta.Anta, which used to make shoes for international brands, has led a global push by buying the rights to Western firms like Fila. This year, it also bought a key stake in Puma, pledging to help the firm grow in China.Many Western brands have been keen to gain a foothold in China, but face intense competition from local manufacturers offering cheaper goods. Demand in China has also slowed due to low domestic spending.Curry said the deal will give his brand an "expanded runway of resources" to grow its basketball, golf and other portfolios globally."We have plans to launch Curry Brand stores together in China and the US, as we look to build on the success that Li-Ning has already established, with even more growth," he said.Curry, a point guard for the Golden State Warriors, is one of the most well-known names in the sport today. He is a four-time NBA champion and widely regarded as one of the best shooters in its history.