Vaccaro: adidas Wrong With MJ's Son

Take it from the pioneer who started this idea of cozy, contractual relationships between the shoe giants and the NCAA schools: adidas has screwed up this time.

Sonny Vaccaro speaks from experience.

"What a PR nightmare for adidas. This should have been a no-brainer,'' Vaccaro said. "It's nothing but a personal thing against Michael Jordan.''

At issue is the recent decision by adidas to severe its relationship with the University of Central Florida, which has a contract that requires all of its athletes and coaches to wear adidas products.

In the midst of negotiating a new six-year, estimated $3 million contract, adidas officials notified the school this week that its longtime relationship was ending because of the athletic department's decision to allow freshman basketball player Marcus Jordan -- Michael's son -- to wear the family's Jordan Brand (Nike) shoes.

"Adidas never would have done this to a bigger school, but they figured they could pick on a lesser known like UCF,'' Vaccaro said. "They wouldn't have tried this at the University of Florida. It's just not right what they have done. These contracts always have some wiggle room for exceptions like this.''

Vaccaro, through the years, has worked for Nike, adidas and Reebok, serving as the go-between for schools and the shoe companies. He orchestrated the first school/shoes/apparel contract in 1987. It was between Nike and the University of Miami. It started a trend that has benefited schools for many years. He also did many of the same contracts for adidas.

Vaccaro, 70, is best known as the founder of the first national high school all-star basketball game -- the Dapper Dan Roundball Classic. He is retired and living in California.

"Any of the shoe contracts that I ever did always allowed for exceptions,'' he said. "It's absolutely the wrong fight at the wrong time. Look, I don't have any allegiance to any of the shoes now. In fact, this case (with Jordan) reminds me of when Nike tried to hide that video of someone dunking on LeBron James. They should all use some common sense.''

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-06-2009 @ 8:32PM

propackage said...

I hope that Marcus and the rest of his team show the world that business is business but greatness is something that can't be bought

11-06-2009 @ 9:14PM

PINKY said...

I got an idea. Why doesn't Nike pick up the contract with the University and supply the darn shoes! SWOOOOOSH

11-06-2009 @ 10:40PM

BILL BERGIN said...

MARCUS SHOULD HAVE GONE TO A NIKE SUPPORTED SCHOOL. THE PRESIDENT SHOULD DISMISS THE IDIOTS WHO FAILED TO INSIST THAT MARCUS BECOME A TEAM PLAYER AND WEAR ADDIDAS. WHY IS MARCUS GETTING SPECIAL TREATMENT? IF HE WAS A REAL PLayer he wouldn't be at central florida. suppose he has to play not because of his talent but because his father is MJ. 3million down the drain because?

11-07-2009 @ 7:40AM

sutton said...

Tim your wrong MJ's son should use the shoes that the school was using instead it cost them and it is not just the basketball team that is feeling the heat over this situation. All of the teams sponsored by UCF are effected by this kid.

Hearing that Nike might sponsor the basketball team is fine, but what about the rest of the teams.

If the new contract does not cover them, then in this time of economic recession UCF is really going to be hurt by this kid. Adidas was totally in the right over this. They had a contract with UCF and UCF broke that contract by allowing this kid to play with Nikes.

It's a cutthroat business and UCF knew this and should have told Jordan Jr to either play ball or don't.

It is a sad day to see you bend over backwards for MJ through his son. I thought you were a journalist, but I guess I was wrong.

11-07-2009 @ 11:25AM

no1ucffan said...

What everyone in the media "forgetting" to mention is that UCF approached their Adidas reps while they were recruiting Marcus Jordan and asked them if there would be an issues, UCF has other exceptions in the contract already, the place kicker and punter on the football team wear Nike shoes, so that has nothing to do with it. Marcus asked about the shoe thing while he was being recruited. UCF admin went to their Adidas rep and asked, the Adidas rep came back and said it's okay. After Marcus signed his LOI, and started practice. Someone with a lot of zeros on their paycheck got wind of it and vetoed the decision. UCF was then put in the spot of going back on their word with an athlete (Recruiting NIGHTMARE) or bowing the the corprate greed that says, Michael Jordans son WILL wear our shoes!. UCF stood up for their player! I'm proud of my school for that! Like it was said in the article, if it was anyone OTHER the MJ's kid this is not a story and not an issue. Marcus made no demands of the school. UCF is simply keeping it's word. Something Adidas should learn how to. I also don't see the third largest University in the entire country will have any problems getting a new apparel deal.