Renowned Nigerian musician, WizKid, has been noticeably absent from a collection of photos shared by netizens that showcase PUMA’s past and present ambassadors. These ambassadors have played pivotal roles in shaping the brand’s image and business over the years.
The development comes shortly after the musician disclosed in a previous statement that PUMA had initially approached him before signing a deal with fellow Nigerian artist Davido. This revelation sparked renewed interest in the history of PUMA’s collaborations with Nigerian artists.
It is worth noting that WizKid had previously claimed that he declined PUMA’s offer because he wanted more favorable terms, leading to speculations about why he was absent from the brand’s list of ambassadors.
According to some online reports, it was alleged that PUMA had initially signed WizKid for a $1 million deal in 2020. However, by December 2021, PUMA reportedly signed Davido for a record-breaking $10 million, further fueling discussions about the two artists' involvement with the brand.
In response to WizKid’s revelation, netizens began to dig into PUMA’s history, uncovering an old article on the brand’s website that highlighted their former and current ambassadors. These individuals had all contributed to the growth and success of the clothing company.
While several familiar faces, including that of Davido, were seen in the list of ambassadors, WizKid was conspicuously missing, prompting widespread speculation and mixed reactions from fans and followers.
One netizen, @MissRozapepper, took to social media to share her thoughts on the matter, writing, “Puma has unveiled their ambassadors, both past and present, who have worked with them, and Davido is the latest addition. Davido signed with PUMA in a record-breaking endorsement deal in 2021. To this day, no deal by any African artist has surpassed what he signed in 2021, until the renewal of his contract in 2024, worth over $10 million.”
She went on to detail Davido’s top endorsement deals, stating, “Currently, Davido holds the number 1-3 record for the highest endorsements by any African artist, and the list is as follows:
PUMA – $10 million (2 years, renewed in 2024)
MARTELL – $7 million (2 years, renewed in 2023)
PUMA – $5.5 million (2 years, signed in 2021)
MARTELL – $5 million (2 years, signed in 2021).”
The conversation surrounding WizKid’s absence from PUMA’s list of ambassadors led to mixed reactions among fans. Some, like @RealMibanti, questioned WizKid’s connection to PUMA, asking, “Which Puma Wizshit worked for?🤔” implying doubt about any formal partnership between the artist and the brand.
Meanwhile, @yu_wizzy clarified the situation by suggesting that WizKid had never officially signed with PUMA, writing, “Wiz never signed for Puma, he was used as a mannequin to promote a Puma suede outfit under JD, that should be common knowledge sha.”
Another fan, @ree_rehanat, expressed confusion, saying, “There is a mix-up somewhere. I can’t find WizKid; at least he should be part of the old ambassadors, nahhhh.”
The discussion continued to gain traction on social media, with fans of both artists weighing in on the situation. Some speculated that there may have been other reasons for WizKid’s absence from the official list, while others suggested that the musician’s decision to turn down PUMA’s offer might have contributed to his omission from the brand’s history.
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