Is Anta landing Stephen Curry? Inside the sneaker free agency that has Nike & UA watching

Stephen “Chef" Curry has finally narrowed his sneaker free agency to three finalists, and this move has the entire footwear industry checking the scoreboard. In November 2025, Curry Under Armour had a high-profile separation after a 12-year partnership that redefined the brand's basketball category. Since then, he has been on the lookout for a potential collaboration with a brand that could take his vision for the Curry brand further. And the Golden State Warriors superstar has reportedly narrowed his search to three finalists, with ANTA having emerged as a frontrunner.Under Armour released the Curry 13 on February 13, 2026, which coincided with the premiere of the movie GOAT that Curry produced. This sneaker was the final collaborative model, serving as the full stop for this partnership. Stephen Curry and Under Armour were one of the most lucrative partnerships in sports history. Since 2013, Curry has been the face of the brand, earning an estimated $50 million annually. But Curry has long transitioned into an independent agent, with full rights to his brand name, trademarks, and the iconic Splash logo. The decision stemmed from, as reported by Sole Retriever and industry insiders, Curry’s frustration with UA’s inability to expand the Curry Brand as a standalone powerhouse. But it seems like Curry has a home for his sneaker logo as fresh reports indicate the brand search has been filtered to three names, with the Chinese sportswear giant ANTA leading as the favorite. In a viral video, Curry is seen practicing his three-point shooting with WNBA superstar Sabrina Ionescu while donning the ANTA Enclosion Type 2 featuring the Curry Brand logo on the heel. This has further fueled the speculations, even though it is not the first time that Curry was spotted with ANTA shoes. Since hitting the sneaker free agency, the 4-time NBA champion has been seen experimenting with multiple shoe brands, from rocking Klay Thompson’s signature line to being the first one to get papped with Irving’s newest release, even before Kyrie. ANTA is a global predator, especially after acquiring a $1.8 billion stake in PUMA to become its largest shareholder in January 2026. With Curry’s addition to a roster that already features Kyrie Irving (ANTA's Chief Creative Officer) and Klay Thompson, ANTA will be positioned to dominate the hardwood in every country. For the 12-time NBA All-Star, this deal with ANTA wouldn't just be an endorsement, but a way to further expand his global reach and break into the Asian sneaker market. It’ll also allow him to operate the Curry Brand with the same autonomy that Michael Jordan enjoys at Nike. With his Under Armour apparel obligations set to expire in October 2026, Curry is playing the long game, leveraging his $59.6 million NBA salary and global icon status to rewrite the rules of athlete-owned business.