Ink Stained? Reebok Asks Gortat To Cover Jordan Brand Tattoo
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Gortat (l) Not Planning To Cover Up Tattoo
Of Jumpman Logo Per Reebok's Request |
Reebok asked Magic C Marcin Gortat either to "wear higher socks" during last night's NBA Finals Game Three against the Lakers to cover up a tattoo on his leg of the Jordan Brand logo, or to "apply makeup so it will not be noticed" during the series, according to Tim Povtak of FANHOUSE.com. Reebok reps were "not happy to see a picture" from Magic-Lakers Game One of Gortat, a Reebok endorser, with the "prominently displayed" logo of the company's competitor. Gortat said Reebok "called and said I had to do something about it, but that ain't going to happen." Gortat: "They didn't say anything about it when I signed the contract, so it's not going anywhere. I don't think they are paying me enough to take it off." Gortat "would not say how much his Reebok contract is worth beyond the shoes he is provided to wear, but he said it was minimal compared to what the stars of the league receive." Gortat: "I've heard from other people that even other players, if they don't know my name, they know I'm the big white guy with the Jordan tattoo. I like that. Reebok will have to get used to that" (FANHOUSE.com, 6/9). YAHOO SPORTS' J.E. Skeets writes, "On the NBA's biggest stage, Gortat's not only shown that he's a competent big man that someone will unquestionably overpay in free agency, but that he's also loyal to the richest shoe manufacturer in the world" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/9).
MAGIC MAN: ABC aired a special NBA-finals themed edition of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" prior to Lakers-Magic Game Three last night, and Basketball HOFer Magic Johnson appeared as one of Kimmel's guests. Kimmel: "Did you think it was strange that Orlando would name their team Magic, which was your name when I last checked?" Johnson: "They didn't pay me for it." Kimmel: "They didn't pay you, and they probably didn't call to ask you if it's okay. They wouldn't have named it the Orlando Larry. They wouldn't do that." Johnson: "I got a patent on Magic, too." Kimmel: "I would think so. When it comes to NBA, Magic is your name." Johnson: "I know. I'm so upset. I don't know what to do" ("Jimmy Kimmel Live," ABC, 6/9).
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