Nike's "defense" against Jordan leaving the company
after he retires is "to encourage Jordan and his new
athletic sportswear concern to develop new products that
will be endorsed by the next generation of NBA stars,"
according to Bill Meyers of USA TODAY. With adidas signing
young players Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady, the Jordan
Brand "will have to work hard for its points in the
marketplace." William Morris Agency VP Rick Bradley, who
represents Bryant: "There's no question that (the Jordan
brand) is trying to counter adidas' appeal to teens and the
future" (USA TODAY, 9/9). The Jumpman shoes will be
endorsed by "players selected by Jordan," which currently
includes the Mavs' Michael Finley, the Cavs' Derek Anderson,
the Bucks Vin Baker and Ray Allen and the Lakers' Eddie
Jones. The division's apparel line will also outfit the
Univ. of Cincinnati, St. John's Univ., and North Carolina
A&T in basketball this season (Oscar Dixon, USA TODAY, 9/9).
Jordan already has his own office at Nike's Beaverton, OR,
campus and he "could broaden his participation" in the brand
and "ultimately become its official CEO" after retiring from
the NBA (Bill Meyers, USA TODAY, 9/9).
