Odd news from ESPN today, as UCF’s Marcus Jordan - son of His Airness Michael, of course - is refusing to comply with the Golden Knights’ shoe deal. UCF has a $3 million dollar with adidas, while (not suprisingly) Jordan won’t wear anything but his dad’s Air Jordans.
(It’s an adidas logo. It’s not made of poison.)
While it’s fine and normal for Marcus to want to honor his dad (if this is, indeed, Marcus’ decision alone), it seems slightly improper to do so in this way. We’re not going to chastise Marcus much for not understanding the way endorsement and equipment deals work - he’s just a freshman in college - but there are several causes for concern here, and nearly all point right back at Dad.
First of all, MJ’s got to put the foot down on this long before it hits the press. For as much as Marcus wants to embrace the family name and all it entails, he hasn’t even come close to being able to dictate shoe deals. Again, he’s just a freshman at UCF. Play ball better than everyone else, get to the pros, then talk sneakers. Not now.
On the other hand, if Michael’s got his fingerprints on this one and is encouraging (or even not actively discouraging) Marcus to demand the ability to wear Air Jordan’s, that’s just plain ridiculous. It’s definitely not financially advantageous for Marcus to do so, but Marcus has to be able to step out from his father’s shadow and play ball his own way, the way everyone else on the team is.
And then this:
UCF said in a statement Thursday that adidas was aware of the situation during contract renewal discussions. The university says it is working with adidas “in determining how this unique set of circumstances will work for both parties.”
Quick translation: adidas isn’t going to pay $3 million if the most high-profile student-athletes start opting out of the shoe deals.
So then, speculative mental exercise time. If all involved parties acquiesce to Marcus (usually an inadvisable decision, when dealing with 18-year-olds; just sayin’), it’s going to be financially disadvantageous for UCF at a time when universities really cannot afford to throw more money out the window. And should that happen, if Michael Jordan doesn’t step up and cover the difference or otherwise make it worth UCF’s while, then that’s extremely selfish and immature - and, unfortunately, right in line with what Chamillionaire was saying.
Don’t make us agree with Chamillionaire, MJ. Be a man, make your son be a man - his own man, at that - and end the story with everyone on the UCF team wearing adidas like the contract says.
4:02 pm on October 22nd, 2009
The should switch to Birkenstocks.
4:15 pm on October 22nd, 2009
Cut Him - Simple - Cut Him
4:43 pm on October 22nd, 2009
Brooks, part of being a man is accepting the consequenses of your actions. Since Jr. isn’t seeing any of the $3 Mil what does he care if the school loses money? So, have it hit him where it hurts and tell him “That’s fine son, people not on the team can wear whatever they want” and then let him choose.
As far as MJ picking up the tab…. Which is it Brooks? Do you want Jr. to be a man or have his daddy pay for his mistakes? You can’t have both.
5:19 pm on October 22nd, 2009
What this fails to mention is that according to Marcus, this was brought up during his recruitment and he and his father were told that it would not be a problem, the school had received assurance from Adidas that if Marcus committed to UCF, he could wear the Jordan brand.
Adam, check all the facts and relay all of them, or this site will turn into MSNBC!
5:24 pm on October 22nd, 2009
Doesn’t matter….shouldn’t have been discussed to begin with. If he wants to be a premadonna go somewhere else, it’s a shoe!
5:46 pm on October 22nd, 2009
Why and How did this kid end up at a non Nike school anyway.
6:12 pm on October 22nd, 2009
dick just like his old man but a dick with no talent!
11:16 pm on October 22nd, 2009
Marcus, when you join the team you have to abide by the team rules and the team’s setup, you can’t pick and choose. There isn’t an “I” in “team”, although there is “me” and “T & A” in “team”, but before you can make any claims on those two things, you need to score about 20 points a game for two seasons. Until then, you’re a lowly grunt freshman and ought to keep your mouth shut.
9:02 am on October 23rd, 2009
He had to know that UFC was rollin with adidas when he was recruited. He should be forced to wear those old skool new knick color Ewings now.