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UCF loses Adidas sponsorship over Jordan's son's shoes

The Associated Press

Central Florida's Marcus Jordan, son of Michael Jordan, wears Air Jordan shoes and Adidas ankle straps during warmups Wednesday before UCF's game against St. Leo in Orlando.

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The Associated Press

Published: November 5, 2009

ORLANDO - 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."

UCF said in a statement in October that Adidas was aware of the situation during contract renewal discussions. The university says it was "led to believe that there would be a workable solution to a unique situation."

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