The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard has signed a new three-year deal with McDonald's, which will begin with an appearance in the fast-food giant's Super Bowl commercial alongside LeBron James.

While it is not known whether James' appearance is a one-off or, as many are predicting, the start of a long-term partnership, Howard's contract - an extension of his existing deal - is expected to earn him some US$3 million per year for the next three years.

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The Super Bowl commercial will see James and Howard in a remake of Michael Jordan and Larry Bird's famous 'Showdown' advert for McDonald's, which sees the two men competing to score trick-shot baskets and ends with them on top of a skycraper preparing to make a shot. That debuted during Super Bowl XXVII in 1993.