Jordan's Desire To Wear Nike Could Strain adidas-UCF Relationship

Jordan Has Requested To Wear Nike Shoes Instead Of Adidas

Univ. of Central Florida (UCF) men's basketball G Marcus Jordan's request to wear Nike shoes instead of adidas has "strained the relationship between UCF and one of its most important business partners," and in the process could be "complicating current contract-renewal negotiations," according to Iliana Limon of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. The school is "negotiating a new deal with adidas that is tentatively expected to be worth $3[M] and last up to six years," and UCF "would receive all its merchandise from adidas free under the new proposed contract." That would be a change "from the current deal that calls for UCF to buy some items from adidas at wholesale prices." The UCF Athletics Association in a statement said that it "hopes to extend its 5-year-old relationship with adidas." However, Jordan, the son of Pro Basketball HOFer Michael Jordan, said of his desire to wear Nike shoes, "When I was being recruited, we talked about it. They said they had talked to the adidas people, and it wasn't going to be a problem. I think everybody understands how big of a deal it is for my family." More Marcus Jordan: "It's a level of importance with the Jordan brand and my family. It's no disrespect to adidas. I have a high level of respect for adidas, but I'm going to be wearing Jordan shoes." Limon notes Nike "has not expressed interest in taking over" the UCF shoe contract (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/22).

THREE MILLION REASONS: ESPN's Tony Kornheiser said if adidas "can make a shoe that he's comfortable with, he should wear that," as "he's Marcus Jordan, not Michael Jordan." But ESPN's Michael Wilbon said it is "not that simple because the bills in his house were paid for all his life by Nike ... so there's loyalty there" ("PTI," ESPN, 10/20). In Orlando, Mike Bianchi writes, "If I'm paying UCF $3[M] for its players to wear my shoes, you better believe I want the school's most famous player wearing my shoes" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 10/22).