Nike is "seeking a federal court order to prevent" U.S. runner Boris Berian from entering into a contract with New Balance or "endorsing any of Nike's other competitors," according to Maxine Bernstein of the Portland OREGONIAN. Nike said that Berian is "under an exclusive endorsement contract" with the company but has "chosen to compete in New Balance running shoes and apparel." Bernstein notes Berian is "slated to compete in the Olympic Trials" next month and is a "favorite to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team this year." Nike according to court documents "agreed to endorse Berian in a contract signed June 17, 2015." It was to last through Dec. 31, 2015, "providing Nike the exclusive right to his endorsement of their running shoes and apparel." The company said that the contract also "gave Nike the right to enter into a new agreement with Berian 'on terms no less favorable than those offered by a competitor.'" Berian's agent Merhawi Keflezighi on Jan. 19 "emailed Nike, informing the company that Berian had received a favorable offer from New Balance." The next day, Keflezighi "sent Nike a copy of the offer." On Jan. 22, Nike "sent a letter back," saying that it would "match the New Balance offer." But Keflezighi "informed Nike in February that his client 'has expressed an interest not to resume a relationship with Nike.'" Berian "wore New Balance running shoes at a Jan. 29 House of Track event in Portland," and has also "been promoting New Balance on his social media accounts" (Portland OREGONIAN, 6/3).
