News emerged last night that with one simple, selfish act of disobedience in his first college basketball game, Marcus Jordan cost the University of Central Florida a future sponsorship deal with their current partner, adidas.
The flap began when Marcus, son of NBA legend Michael, said that he planned to wear Air Jordans (made by adidas rival Nike) to honor his family's legacy, a move that he claims UCF had committed to in the recruiting process. The only problem is that the school has an exclusive $3 million six-year contract with the German-born shoe company that requires all of the Golden Knights' coaches and athletes to use adidas's shoes, apparel and game equipment.
"When I was being recruited, we talked about it," Marcus Jordan told reporters. "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."
Well, apparently it was a problem. Marcus Jordan sported white Air Jordans during his first exhibition game last night and soon after, adidas made their decision.
While I sort of understand Marcus wanting to honor his family's legacy and bear the shoe that his father made famous, it only makes sense to the point that his decision doesn't affect anyone else. And in this case, it has affected everyone in the UCF athletic department. Sure, there are other shoe and clothing companies (Nike comes to mind) that UCF could sign with in the future. But couldn't Jordan have honored his family's legacy in another way, by either wearing the clothes around campus or during pick-up games? And frankly, does Michael even care?
Promise or not, Marcus Jordan displayed a bizarre sense of entitlement for an 18-year-old freshman who is famous only for his father's basketball legacy, not his own.
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