Ronnie Stanley Signs with Zappos: Latest Contract Details, Comments, Reaction

Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley has already broken new ground without even stepping on an NFL field.  

ESPN.com's Darren Rovell reported Tuesday that the highly rated draft prospect signed an endorsement deal with Zappos, which is the first of its kind. The contract will allow Stanley to wear shoes from multiple companies over the course of the season:

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Stanley said he's most likely going to wear either Nike or Under Armour, which he wore the last two seasons at Notre Dame. But should he not like either, he can change brands and models every week or even in-game. If he wants to have the logo showing on the shoe on the field of play, he'll be limited to wearing Nike, adidas or Under Armour, which have deals with the league.

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Stanley seems particularly pleased with his apparel flexibility:

He will be the first athlete under the Zappos banner.

"This is very much unknown territory for us," said Jeff Espersen, the company's general manager of merchandising, per Rovell. "But as people who are deeply involved with Las Vegas, we've followed Ronnie's amazing career to where he is today. He's a good person, and like us, he wants to be very involved in the community."

Stanley, who attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, is widely considered to be among the 2016 draft's best offensive tackles. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller ranked the Fighting Irish star 11th overall in his most recent big board.

Rovell didn't provide the full financial details of the deal, reporting the company will provide Stanley with an undisclosed amount he can use for himself, friends and family on Zappos' website.

Should contracts like this grow in popularity across major American sports, it could revolutionize athlete endorsements. Plenty of athletes would likely enjoy the ability to switch between Adidas, Nike, Under Armour and others in order to find the equipment and apparel they like the most.

Of course, the success or failure of Zappos' investment will depend to a certain extent on Stanley's success in the NFL. Under Armour's revenues have soared, thanks in no small part to Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, and Stanley could have a similar impact—albeit to a lesser extent.

Offensive linemen don't have the same visibility in football as skill-position players, but should Stanley become a fixture in the NFL, Zappos will have a much easier time branching out to more football players and athletes from other sports.