Enes Kanter says his Turkish political views are limiting endorsement deals
Enes Kanter is one of the most vocal opponents of the Turkish government, and apparently that is scaring off many potential sponsors.
In an interview with Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News that ran on Monday, the New York Knicks center revealed that he is hiring big-name agent Mark Bartelstein in the hopes of landing some endorsements.
“At least I’ll make some money off the court,” said Kanter. “Because outside of the court I make almost no money because of all the Turkish stuff because American companies are scared to give me a contract.
“So right now if I have an agent maybe I’ll get some Chinese shoe deal company deal or something, or Filipino or whatever,” he added.
Kanter also said that his only current endorsement deal is with trading card company Panini. Moreover, he adds that recent negotiations he had with Nike broke down because the corporation was scared of losing business in Turkey.
The Turkey native Kanter is a fierce critic of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his regime. As a result, Kanter has been labeled a traitor in his home country and faces imprisonment if he ever returns. His own family has even been forced to publicly disown him.
The Turkish government has directly targeted Kanter multiple times in recent months as well, and it is obvious that speaking his mind has come at a cost.
H/T SLAMOnline
