The other shoe drops

Jordan's son wears Nike
AP

ORLANDO, Fla. -- 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."

I'm a little surprised that something couldn't have been done to save this situation. I figured Jordan would just get to wear the Nikes and put tape over the swoosh or something but I think adidas had been pushed to the brink and wanted to make their point. I can kind of see their point too. I understand that Michael Jordan built his brand with Nike but its not like the Jordan family owes them their souls. I'm pretty sure Phil Knight got just as rich off Jordan and Jordan did off him. Plus, if Jordan had any inkling in the 80s that he could have made more money with adidas I'm sure he would have switched in a second.

All that said I think there's only one way to rectify all this. Either Nike or Jordan himself has to outfit this basketball team out of their own pocket. And I wouldn't be surprised if that happens.