Air Jordan’s son won’t wear adidas shoes, puts UCF’s $3 million contract in jeopardy

Jordan’s son has adidas issues, UCF in tough spot

ORLANDO, Fla. — A fight over the shoes Michael Jordan’s son will wear at the University of Central Florida could cost the school financially.

Freshman guard Marcus Jordan is refusing to wear shoes made by adidas, the brand the university has a contract with for all its sports. He says he will only wear his father’s Nike Air Jordan shoes because they hold special meaning to his family.

The problem is UCF is in the final year of its contract with adidas that requires coaches and athletes to use the company’s apparel and equipment. UCF says its five-year deal with adidas ends June 30, 2010.

There have been media reports that UCF is negotiating a new deal that could be worth up to $3 million and last up to six years.

UCF said in a statement Thursday 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.”

(This version CORRECTS terms of UCF-adidas deal.)