Jordan's Nikes cause UCF adidas trouble

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Michael Jordan's son, Marcus, apparently cost his university a deal with adidas when he wore Nike Air Jordans during an exhibition game, school officials said.

The University of Central Florida honored its promise to Jordan that he could wear his Nikes in Wednesday's game, based on an agreement it reached with adidas regional representatives, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported.

The UCF officials refused to back down from their promise to Jordan even when higher-level adidas corporate officials objected to earlier permission from regional personnel to wear the Nikes, the newspaper said.

"There's really not much I can say because I don't know anything about it and have not heard anything official from adidas about our agreement. … We spoke with adidas officials throughout this process and were continuing contract negotiations with them. I have not seen anything in writing or heard directly from adidas about a change in our relationship, Keith Tribble, UCF Athletics Director, said.

UCF had a six-year, $3 million exclusive contract with adidas, inc., which had already been extended and enhanced through 2015 via verbal agreement, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

During the game, Jordan wore white Nike shoes with no prominent logos, and black ankle braces with obvious adidas logos, the newspaper reported.

UCF won its exhibition game, 84-65, against St. Leo. P.J. Gaynor led the Knights with 18 points and A.J. Rompza added 16 points. Jordan, a freshman, finished with one assist, three steals and one point.