Air Jordans Worn By MJ's Son Put $1.9M UCF Deal With Adidas at Risk
Seems officials at the University of Central Florida promised Marcus Jordan he could wear the Nike Air Jordan shoes pioneered by his famous dad, legendary professional basketball star Michael Jordan, while playing college ball for the UCF Knights this season.
But Marcus Jordan’s shoe selection hasn’t gone over well with Adidas, which has an exclusive $1.9 million contract with the university that requires all athletes and coaches to wear the Nike competitor’s shoes and apparel, reports the Orlando Sentinel.
As contract renegotiations continue for another potential five-year deal after the current UCF-Adidas pact expires in 2010, the issue of Marcus Jordan’s shoe selection doesn’t appear close to a resolution.
The 18-year-old college freshman says the Air Jordans are an important symbol to his family, the newspaper reports, and Andrea Corso, a spokeswoman for Adidas, says that having the UCF team put its best foot forward is important to her company, too.
“There is no compromise and the contract is currently under review,” she tells the Sentinel. “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.”