Marcus Jordan's Choice Costs UCF Deal

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A fight over the shoes Michael Jordan's son will wear at the University of Central Florida has cost the school any future sponsorship with adidas.

"The University of Central Florida has chosen not to deliver on their contractual commitment to adidas," adidas spokeswoman Andrea Corso wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "As a result we have chosen not to continue our relationship with them moving forward."

Freshman guard Marcus Jordan wore a pair of white Air Jordans during UCF's 84-65 win in an exhibition game against Saint Leo on Wednesday night, the Orlando Sentinel reported on its Web site. Jordan has said he will only wear his father's Nike Air Jordan shoes because they hold special meaning to his family.

UCF is in the final year of a five-year contract with adidas that requires coaches and athletes to use the company's apparel and equipment.

"We are disappointed to learn that adidas has chosen to discontinue its relationship with UCF Athletics," the school said in a statement Wednesday night released by spokesman Joe Hornstein. "Once we receive official notice we will be able to further respond."

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-05-2009 @ 6:52PM

RBJ said...

It will cost the school much more than 3M for letting themselves get punked by this nobody.

11-05-2009 @ 5:11PM

ckevinbaldwin said...

Like NIKE won't swoop in, contract with the school and take the prize PR that will come with it.

This was a "chump" move by Adidas NOT to recognize the iconic status of the Jordan/Nike relationship.

Adidas will be the loser in this game.

11-05-2009 @ 4:52PM

Barbara said...

If Marcus was attending MJU (Michael Jordan University), I'd agree with him. But, since he is attending UCF, who has a 5 year contract with addidas, he should be fined for not following the rules.

11-05-2009 @ 5:12PM

MeritaBread said...

Marcus Jordan talked with UCF officials about the shoe issue before signing with the school and was assured that it was not a problem. If the fault for this lies anywhere, it is at the feet of university officials. Jordan made his position regarding the Air Jordans clear right from the start.

11-05-2009 @ 6:07PM

isuamlmbf said...

The part you seem to miss is that this is the last year of the five year contract. The contract is not being broken. Adidas will still supply the school for this season. Anyone with ANY common sense knows that UCF knew that he would not wear Adidas before signing him to a scholarship. Wait until next year, NIKE will have a new long term deal with UCF. This may be what UCF wanted to begin with, maybe Nike would not sign with them because of the low visibility of the program. Now you add the name Jordan and they will be there. Commercials are already being worked on with the players (including Jordan) taking off the Adidas's and throwing the away, putting on Nike's and taking their game to a new level.

11-05-2009 @ 4:53PM

Panther Fan said...

Michael Jordan should compensate UCF for the loss of the sponsorship money caused by jis son's stboorn stance regarding the shoes. Either he is part of the team and lives by teh same rules or he makes an exception and pays the consequences to the tune of $3M ask NIKE to replace what they lost.

Bob said...

The "special meaning to the family" is code for about 10 billion dollars. Heaven forbid the Jordan family should be a voice for social causes and risk any percentage of the family fortune.

11-05-2009 @ 5:03PM

DPB said...

Another example of entitlement that is so rampant in today's society. If the sneakers have such meaning to the family, by all means wear them whenever and wherever you are WHEN YOU ARE NOT REPRESENTING UCF!! Young man, did you not know that you would have to wear team gear when you played for the team? Shame on you Dad, for not enforcing the rules!

11-05-2009 @ 7:05PM

vogtstamps said...

Well said. More people should think this way.

prn13norm said...

Nike will pick up the sponsership as soon as the heat dies down.

11-05-2009 @ 5:28PM

lynne66nc said...

Apparently Michael Jordan didn't teach his son respect. There was a contract between the school and Adidas long before the boy got accepted at that school. The boy should have been told by the school AND his family to HONOR the contract and wear the Adidas shoes until the contract expired.

11-05-2009 @ 5:37PM

smeagol8 said...

If the school wanted to enforce the contract, they would simply suspend Jordan. Since they didn't, it means they didn't really care about said contract. Don't blame the kid.

11-05-2009 @ 5:56PM

Donna said...

Well. So young Mr. Jordan considers himself to be so special that he does not have to conform to the rules that all his fellow teammates must follow? Such behavior is far too typical of our pampered, spoiled athletic elite. He needs to grow up, and his coaches and school should enforce the rules, no matter the player's last name. Also, his parents could have avoided this flap by telling their son to behave.

11-05-2009 @ 6:05PM

Josue said...

This nobody punk kid has a lot to deal with in life. If he will no budge in this the school should just kick him off the team. He is not his father and needs to learn to be a team player. I understand he has a special relation with the Jordan brand but this is a school if he want to play use the what everyone uses cover the product name. But dont cost the school money especialy in this time in our economy. Unless Nike is going to take the place of Addidas.

11-05-2009 @ 6:24PM

rdnick said...

Why all the fuss for a no-talent benchrider at what is the equivelent of an NAIA school?

11-05-2009 @ 7:00PM

reagan1132 said...

A year ago, I might have been surprised that a Jordan was so selfish and all about himself, but after watching Michael Jordan act like a complete bitter, selfish, angry a-hole at the hall of fame ceremonies, it all fits the bill.

11-05-2009 @ 7:13PM

Trizone said...

The epitome of arrogance - just like his dad!

11-05-2009 @ 7:38PM

yomama4 said...

Apparently some of you are not paying attention, like to hear yourself talk, or are just plain stupid! UCF was well aware that Marcus would be wearing Nike shoes...period. It was part of the discussions when he was signed to play here. UCF was well aware that there was going to be a conflict with adidis but hope that they would be more reasonable. This was the last year of the Adidis contract anyway. Based on most of the comments above most of you are absolutely CLUELESS and have no idea what you are talking about!