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Michael Jordan's Son Could Cost College $3M

Adidas deal predates player with inherited preference for Nike

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 22, 2009 1:11 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Michael Jordan’s son wants to wear the shoes his dad made famous when he plays college basketball this season—but if he does, he could wind up costing the University of Central Florida $3 million. Marcus Jordan insists on wearing Nike Air Jordans, but UCF has a deal with adidas. Athletic department officials “said they had talked to the adidas people,” Jordan, a freshman, tells the Orlando Sentinel.

Adidas and UCF are in the final year of a 6-year deal that calls for the company to supply athletic apparel free or at a discount. A new agreement is in the works that would make all the gear for the school's 15 teams free—all $3 million worth. Nike has no plans to step in, and the school is treading lightly. "We made adidas aware of this unique situation during contract-renewal discussions," UCF said in a statement. Says an adidas rep: “These relationships are based upon agreed deliverables for both parties.”

Sons Jeffery and Marcus in 1994.
Sons Jeffery and Marcus in 1994.   (Getty Images)
A pedestrian runs past the famous Nike Air Jordan logo in front of the Niketown store in downtown Portland, Ore.
A pedestrian runs past the famous Nike Air Jordan logo in front of the Niketown store in downtown Portland, Ore.   (AP Photo)
Michael Jordan.
Michael Jordan.   (AP Photo)
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We are working with Adidas in determining how this unique set of circumstances will work for both parties. We made Adidas aware of this unique situation during contract-renewal discussions. - UCF statement

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
RobN
Oct 23, 2009 12:37 PM CDT
I hope his talent can live up to his ego. Spoiled brat is all he is.
Yourself
Oct 23, 2009 3:19 AM CDT
but that's just it.. he doesn't want the free stuff from Adidas. It has nothing to do with stuff being free, he's a Jordan, he'll get all the free stuff he wants from any company. The school is the one that is limiting the kids freedoms cause of some BS contract with Adidas. If the school wants a contract with a team for free stuff they should be allowed to, but if a team member wants to pay for shoes from a different manufacturer they too should be allowed to do so.
cfbailey
Oct 22, 2009 10:41 AM CDT
If you don't want to wear the uniform...don't join the team. Why create all this BS for your school? He must be very arrogant like his Father...

 
sports • Michael Jordan • shoes • Nike • Adidas • corporate sponsorship • college basketball • apparel • Marcus Jordan • Air Jordan • University of Central Florida

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