UPDATE: 1:23 AM
UCF released a statement saying “It is important to state that UCF Athletics did make adidas aware of Marcus’ recruitment and was led to believe that there would be a workable solution to a unique situation. We will continue to proceed with this understanding and the overall best interests of UCF Athletics and its student-athletes”.
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A few short months after UCF slashed programs and laid off faculty to save $4.6 million, it may lose nearly $3 million over Marcus Jordan’s shoes.
UCF has a reported $3 million dollar deal with adidas requiring all UCF athletes wear adidas shoes and apparel.
When Marcus Jordan was recruited, UCF promised the son of NBA legend Michael Jordan he could wear his dad’s Air Jordan brand by Nike, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
“We talked about it,” Marcus Jordan told the Orlando Sentinel. “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 big deal for Jordan has become a big problem for UCF. It was the front page, top story in today’s Orlando Sentinel. The paper reported adidas and UCF are at an impasse, and the shoe fight is hurting the contract renewal process for one UCF’s most important business partners.
“There is no compromise, and the contract is currently under review,” adidas spokeswoman Andrea Corso told 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.”
A UCF Athletics statement stated the school respects the adidas brand, and hoped to work through this “unique” circumstance and extend the deal.
Jordan told the Sentinel he has no disrespect for adidas and he’s fine with wearing the adidas uniform, and using all of the other adidas UCF gear, but when it comes to his shoes, “it’s a level of importance with the Jordan brand and my family” that’s making him stand firm.
If a compromise can’t be reached, UCF could end up having to pay for all of its clothing, shoes and equipment for all 15 Knights sports, according to the paper.
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