Marcus, UCF's most famous freshman basketball player ever and son of iconic hooper Michael Jordan, donned his father's Nike Air Jordans Wednesday night in an exhibition win over St. Leo.
adidas caught wind of much ballyhooed event and promptly announced that its six year $3 million dollar contract with UCF is null and void.
My thoughts on the subject?
...Well, for one, UCF has some very smart people in its athletic department. Head Coach Kirk Speraw is a quality man and a quality coach. I have a hard time believing that UCF was blindsided by this 'sudden' announcement Wednesday night. The powers that be must have seen this coming for a while now. I sincerely hope that a call has already been placed into Nike headquarters by not only UCF but also by Marcus's famous father. Just think of the publicity Nike would get in coming in and swooping up UCF after adidas, Nike's arch-rival, dumped 'em.
...Originally, I thought that Marcus Jordan should have toe'd the line and just worn the darned striped sneaks. After all, he's just a kid. Why should an 18 year old be dictating the policies of an entire athletic department? Marcus is Michael's son. He's not Michael! But, then, I got to thinking...The Jordan name IS truly synonymous with Nike. The two names will be forever linked. Thus, if Marcus wants to honor his dad's legacy by wearing the Air Jordans, he should be allowed to do just that! From what I understand, the younger Jordan has been humble and classy throughout this entire ordeal. Wear the Air Jordans loud and proud Marcus.
...And finally, is it all worth it for UCF? After all, $3 million is alotta green for a cash-strapped athletic department these days. Let's tell it like it is...If Marcus Jordan were truly a blue-chip basketball star like his dad, then wouldn't he be playing his college ball in beloved Chapel Hill? Truth is, Marcus is not his dad. Not even in the same stratosphere. But, in the end, I believe UCF is doing the right thing. The university is sticking by one of its own. UCF is standing by a commitment it made to a student athlete instead of being controlled by an outside force, a shoe company in adidas, whose only concern is its bottom line.