Is he as dedicated to his underwear?

Pearls · 10-26-2009, 01:39 PM

Hmmmmmm, I wonder if he is as dedicated to his Hanes as that was also a brand his father stumped for?

What do you think the school should do? Kick him off? Lose the Adidas contract?

UCF promise to Michael Jordan's son jeopardize's school's lucrative adidas contract -- OrlandoSentinel.com
Shoes of Michael Jordan's son may risk UCF adidas deal
UCF freshman basketball player Marcus Jordan insists on wearing father's famous Nike Air Jordan brand

By Iliana Limon

Sentinel Staff Writer

8:19 p.m. EDT, October 21, 2009
E-mail Print Share Text Size

A pair of shoes could end up costing the University of Central Florida nearly $3 million.

UCF promised Marcus Jordan, son of NBA legend Michael Jordan, that he could wear his father's Nike Air Jordan brand for the Knights' basketball team this season.

The problem? UCF has an exclusive $3 million, six-year contract with adidas that requires all coaches and athletes to use the company's shoes, apparel and game equipment.

And now UCF and adidas are at an impasse, leaving an 18-year-old freshman with a famous father caught in the middle.

"When I was being recruited, we talked about it," Marcus Jordan said. "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."

The deal has strained the relationship between UCF and one of its most important business partners, complicating current contract-renewal negotiations. The university's agreement with the company expires in 2010.

Contrary to a report last week by AOL Fanhouse, adidas officials told the Orlando Sentinel they have not reached an agreement with UCF yet about Jordan's shoes.

"There is no compromise, and the contract is currently under review," adidas spokeswoman Andrea Corso said. "We are in negotiations for a future relationship regarding the broader UCF athletic program. What I can say is that these relationships are based upon agreed deliverables for both parties."

UCF Athletics Association released a statement indicating it hopes to extend its 5-year-old relationship with adidas.

"At this time, we are working with adidas in determining how this unique set of circumstances will work for both parties," the statement said. "We made adidas aware of this unique situation during contract-renewal discussions. There is a great deal of respect for the adidas brand and the partnership."

UCF's contract with adidas represents about 1.4 percent of the UCF Athletics Association's projected income this year.

UCF is negotiating a new deal with adidas that is tentatively expected to be worth $3million and last up to six years. UCF would receive all its merchandise from adidas free under the new proposed contract, a change from the current deal that calls for UCF to buy some items from adidas at wholesale prices.

Nike has not expressed interest in taking over the UCF shoe contract, with the company well-represented in the Florida market thanks to agreements with the University of Florida, Florida State and Miami.

In the worst-possible scenario, UCF risks losing its current adidas contract's worth and being forced to buy its own clothing, shoes and equipment at full price for all 15 of its sports.

Marcus Jordan, the young man in the middle of this controversy, said he never meant to offend anyone.

"It's a level of importance with the Jordan brand and my family," he said. "It's no disrespect to adidas. I have a high level of respect for adidas, but I'm going to be wearing Jordan shoes. I'm wearing the adidas uniform, and all my other UCF gear is adidas, but the shoes are going to be Jordan brand."

Dan Drane, an assistant professor of sports management at the University of Southern Mississippi, said it's hard to imagine Marcus Jordan would be able to wear anything besides Nikes.

"Whether it's right or wrong, Michael Jordan's sons will always be compared to and associated with him," Drane said. "It would be very difficult for them to be associated with a company other than the one that was so supportive of their father's career."

Drane said the shoe controversy goes beyond adidas simply wanting UCF to honor its contract.

"It's a pretty deep issue that touches on a student's legal right to wear whatever they feel is best for them," Drane said. "In the end, this might end up being bigger than just a battle between adidas and Nike."

LandJ · 10-26-2009, 01:49 PM

The guy(s) who promised the kid should be reprimanded and the kid needs to wear the sneaks the school tells him to. The rules are the rules and Michael Jordan's son is no exception. If they lose his son to another school then they loose him. Better to lose the kid to another school than the millions from Adidas.

Oh and as far as that last line about it infringing on his rights as a student to wear what he wants....get over it. Wear what you want and don't play. OR play and wear what you're told. No deep issue and no black or white as far as I can see. I have to wear a uniform to work and I work in a preschool. Are McDonald's employees rights being trampled on by them having to wear those awful uniforms? No. Don't like it....don't work there. If Marcus doesn't like, don't play there.

rae · 10-26-2009, 02:01 PM

IMHO, if they made a commitment to the son about allowing him to wear Nikes, even if it was verbal, they should stand by it. If adidas wants to back out, so be it.

Surely Nike just might enjoy the publicity and offer the school a deal.

How are these things handled with the pros? I know that during the Olympics, the pros are 'allowed' to get away with not wearing the 'other' brand. Remember those Dream team medal ceremonies, where an athlete was 'allowed' to be draped in the US flag, rather than be photographed wearing the symbol of the 'competitor'?

LandJ · 10-26-2009, 03:45 PM

But the contract with Adidas contract was probably in place with UCF (probably for several years) before the Jordan son signed to play with them. I don't blame him for at least asking, but sorry if one is allowed to wear what he wants to then they all have to be allowed to do it.

I would NOT jeopardize millions of Adidas dollars for one kid.

andys · 10-26-2009, 04:27 PM

IF wearing the shoes is such a deal breaker for the kid and UCF iincorrectly promised that to him then UCF should let him transfer, although under NCAA rules he may have to sit out a year. It sucks for the kid, but my goodness that's a lot of money for UCF to piss away just because it made a mistake. I can admire his loyalty, but is the family going to starve if the kid wears the shoes for a few years.

Desca · 10-26-2009, 04:38 PM

It still amazes me how huge an industry college sports is in the U.S. That's one heck of a contract.

Having said that, I think he should play with Adidas shoes or not at all. Why does the whole family have to be tied to Nike? Better for him to avoid the inevitable comparisons and strike out on his own. It's tough to be the child of a sports legend and doing the same sport.

LandJ · 10-26-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desca

It's tough to be the child of a sports legend and doing the same sport.

No kidding! Can you imagine what the poor child of Andre Agassi and his tennis champion wife's (can't remember her name) gonna be like? I think I heard at one point they don't want their kid(s) going into that sport. I can sure see why!

10-26-2009, 01:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pearls 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,463	Is he as dedicated to his underwear? Hmmmmmm, I wonder if he is as dedicated to his Hanes as that was also a brand his father stumped for? What do you think the school should do? Kick him off? Lose the Adidas contract? UCF promise to Michael Jordan's son jeopardize's school's lucrative adidas contract -- OrlandoSentinel.com Shoes of Michael Jordan's son may risk UCF adidas deal UCF freshman basketball player Marcus Jordan insists on wearing father's famous Nike Air Jordan brand By Iliana Limon Sentinel Staff Writer 8:19 p.m. EDT, October 21, 2009 E-mail Print Share Text Size A pair of shoes could end up costing the University of Central Florida nearly $3 million. UCF promised Marcus Jordan, son of NBA legend Michael Jordan, that he could wear his father's Nike Air Jordan brand for the Knights' basketball team this season. The problem? UCF has an exclusive $3 million, six-year contract with adidas that requires all coaches and athletes to use the company's shoes, apparel and game equipment. And now UCF and adidas are at an impasse, leaving an 18-year-old freshman with a famous father caught in the middle. "When I was being recruited, we talked about it," Marcus Jordan said. "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." The deal has strained the relationship between UCF and one of its most important business partners, complicating current contract-renewal negotiations. The university's agreement with the company expires in 2010. Contrary to a report last week by AOL Fanhouse, adidas officials told the Orlando Sentinel they have not reached an agreement with UCF yet about Jordan's shoes. "There is no compromise, and the contract is currently under review," adidas spokeswoman Andrea Corso said. "We are in negotiations for a future relationship regarding the broader UCF athletic program. What I can say is that these relationships are based upon agreed deliverables for both parties." UCF Athletics Association released a statement indicating it hopes to extend its 5-year-old relationship with adidas. "At this time, we are working with adidas in determining how this unique set of circumstances will work for both parties," the statement said. "We made adidas aware of this unique situation during contract-renewal discussions. There is a great deal of respect for the adidas brand and the partnership." UCF's contract with adidas represents about 1.4 percent of the UCF Athletics Association's projected income this year. UCF is negotiating a new deal with adidas that is tentatively expected to be worth $3million and last up to six years. UCF would receive all its merchandise from adidas free under the new proposed contract, a change from the current deal that calls for UCF to buy some items from adidas at wholesale prices. Nike has not expressed interest in taking over the UCF shoe contract, with the company well-represented in the Florida market thanks to agreements with the University of Florida, Florida State and Miami. In the worst-possible scenario, UCF risks losing its current adidas contract's worth and being forced to buy its own clothing, shoes and equipment at full price for all 15 of its sports. Marcus Jordan, the young man in the middle of this controversy, said he never meant to offend anyone. "It's a level of importance with the Jordan brand and my family," he said. "It's no disrespect to adidas. I have a high level of respect for adidas, but I'm going to be wearing Jordan shoes. I'm wearing the adidas uniform, and all my other UCF gear is adidas, but the shoes are going to be Jordan brand." Dan Drane, an assistant professor of sports management at the University of Southern Mississippi, said it's hard to imagine Marcus Jordan would be able to wear anything besides Nikes. "Whether it's right or wrong, Michael Jordan's sons will always be compared to and associated with him," Drane said. "It would be very difficult for them to be associated with a company other than the one that was so supportive of their father's career." Drane said the shoe controversy goes beyond adidas simply wanting UCF to honor its contract. "It's a pretty deep issue that touches on a student's legal right to wear whatever they feel is best for them," Drane said. "In the end, this might end up being bigger than just a battle between adidas and Nike."

10-26-2009, 01:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
LandJ 10000-15000 post ace of hearts Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 15,982 Blog Entries: 38	The guy(s) who promised the kid should be reprimanded and the kid needs to wear the sneaks the school tells him to. The rules are the rules and Michael Jordan's son is no exception. If they lose his son to another school then they loose him. Better to lose the kid to another school than the millions from Adidas. Oh and as far as that last line about it infringing on his rights as a student to wear what he wants....get over it. Wear what you want and don't play. OR play and wear what you're told. No deep issue and no black or white as far as I can see. I have to wear a uniform to work and I work in a preschool. Are McDonald's employees rights being trampled on by them having to wear those awful uniforms? No. Don't like it....don't work there. If Marcus doesn't like, don't play there. __________________ 6 years old Last edited by LandJ; 10-26-2009 at 01:51 PM.

10-26-2009, 02:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
rae 10000-15000 post ace of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: You can take the girl out of TEXAS... Posts: 13,159	IMHO, if they made a commitment to the son about allowing him to wear Nikes, even if it was verbal, they should stand by it. If adidas wants to back out, so be it. Surely Nike just might enjoy the publicity and offer the school a deal. How are these things handled with the pros? I know that during the Olympics, the pros are 'allowed' to get away with not wearing the 'other' brand. Remember those Dream team medal ceremonies, where an athlete was 'allowed' to be draped in the US flag, rather than be photographed wearing the symbol of the 'competitor'? __________________ I happen to be a proponent of single-payer, universal health care coverage. (2003) But, I don’t think we are going to be able to eliminate employer coverage immediately. There’s going to be potentially some transition process. I can envision a decade out or 15 years out or 20 years out where we’ve got a much more portable system. (2007) Barack Obama

10-26-2009, 03:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
LandJ 10000-15000 post ace of hearts Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 15,982 Blog Entries: 38	But the contract with Adidas contract was probably in place with UCF (probably for several years) before the Jordan son signed to play with them. I don't blame him for at least asking, but sorry if one is allowed to wear what he wants to then they all have to be allowed to do it. I would NOT jeopardize millions of Adidas dollars for one kid. __________________ 6 years old

10-26-2009, 04:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
andys 900-999 post jack of hearts Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 931	IF wearing the shoes is such a deal breaker for the kid and UCF iincorrectly promised that to him then UCF should let him transfer, although under NCAA rules he may have to sit out a year. It sucks for the kid, but my goodness that's a lot of money for UCF to piss away just because it made a mistake. I can admire his loyalty, but is the family going to starve if the kid wears the shoes for a few years. __________________ "A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the Public Treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits from the Public Treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy always followed by dictatorship."

Currently Active Chat Room Users: 0 \| Scheduled Chat Room Events
	Users in Chat Rooms: No one's chatting right now!

10-26-2009, 04:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Desca 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Western Canada Posts: 2,404 Blog Entries: 772	It still amazes me how huge an industry college sports is in the U.S. That's one heck of a contract. Having said that, I think he should play with Adidas shoes or not at all. Why does the whole family have to be tied to Nike? Better for him to avoid the inevitable comparisons and strike out on his own. It's tough to be the child of a sports legend and doing the same sport. __________________ K One teen, twin tweens, and a whole lot going on

VISIT OUR SISTER SITES:
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar	eHarmony Advice Dating Advice	Project Wedding Wedding Songs	Weddingbee Wedding Blog