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Mike Miller

Mike Miller has been NBCSports.com's college basketball editor since 2003. It's a position he relishes; no wonder considering he transferred to Kansas to watch Paul Pierce play. Most of his favorite sports memories involve college hoops, usually during March, when every waking moment is spent thinking about March Madness.



Is Jordan's son worth $3 million to UCF?

Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 11:50 AM
Filed Under:

Marcus Jordan’s pride in his dad may end up costing his school big bucks.

Jordan, a freshman guard at Central, Florida, is Michael Jordan’s son. Maybe you’ve heard of him, and his shoes. Well, as to be expected, Marcus is an Air Jordan guy, and only an Air Jordan guy.

Except … the school has a $3 million, six-year contract with adidas that requires coaches and athletes to wear its stuff, including the shoes. Therein lies the rub.


Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP
Marcus Jordan

It’s a surprise to Marcus, who says he isn’t budging.

"When I was being recruited, we talked about it," Marcus told the Orlando Sentinel. "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.

"It's a level of importance with the Jordan brand and my family. It's no disrespect to adidas. I have a high level of respect for adidas, but I'm going to be wearing Jordan shoes. I'm wearing the adidas uniform, and all my other UCF gear is adidas, but the shoes are going to be Jordan brand."

The school is trying to work out a solution that will work for both parties, but it comes down to this: Is Marcus Jordan – and thus, a connection to Michael Jordan – worth more to Central Florida than a multi-million contract?

I’d say no. Even if there wasn’t a recession, that’s a lotta dimp.

Mike Bianchi from the Sentinel offers four possible outcomes from this whole thing.

1. adidas can bend and allow Marcus to wear his own shoes.
2. Nike can come to the rescue.
3. UCF can release Marcus from his scholarship and he can go play at a Nike school.
4. Marcus can become his own man, step out from his father's immense shadow and take one for the team.

I vote for No. 1, No. 2 or -- if it comes to it -- No. 4

No. 2 makes the most sense. Nike’s made millions off of Marcus’ dad. Why can’t it pay UCF?

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Comments

Stories like this make no sense...People who allow Marcus to run the show make no sense. If Marcus do not want to wear Adidas, let him go, there are other kids who can play better than him. The school has contract with adidas that requires coaches and athletes to wear its stuff, including the shoes. What would be his next demend? He would not attend his classes b/c his father retired from NBA. Message to Marcus: Get your ego together and abide the the school rules. Play with Adidas shoe or leave

Obi Ike, Forestville MD (Sent Thursday, October 22, 2009 4:18 PM)

Umm, if there is a contact between Adidas and UCF and Nike "comes to the rescue" than Adidas could sue Nike for inducing a breach of contract.  Its a tort, look it up.

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Thursday, October 22, 2009 4:53 PM)

They told him that he could wear it...DONE.

G Money, Orlando, Florida (Sent Thursday, October 22, 2009 4:58 PM)

This fuss is sbout an unproven college player?  Tell the kid to take a hike.  The school needs the $3M.  Marcus does not.

ArcOne (Sent Thursday, October 22, 2009 4:59 PM)

You are either a team player or you are not. Marcus, man up or leave.

DugoutNut, Houston TX (Sent Thursday, October 22, 2009 5:10 PM)

The school should have never told Marcus that they would be able to work something out with Adidas.  Perhaps if the school was straight up with him, he would have never signed.    

TreeTop (Sent Thursday, October 22, 2009 5:14 PM)

Come on Marcus, I like Nike (first choice), but I'd wear Adidas or go barefoot for a scholarship.

JFox (Sent Thursday, October 22, 2009 5:18 PM)

I don't know what the school is trying to examine. I don't follow high school recruiting but was this guy even looked at by top tier colleges. Send him packing and give the scholarship to another deserving athletes who understand the rules and is not to high on himself. Instead of riding daddy's boat he better try to make his own way.

kp, beantown, MA (Sent Thursday, October 22, 2009 6:19 PM)

It sounds like he(Marcus) knew UCF was an Adidas school from the get-go and made the choice to go there anyway. Yes, he's Mikes son and Mike was the greatest player ever, but that was Mike, not Marcus. Lets be real, the kids no MJ or Lebron or even an OJ Mayo for that matter so why would UCF even let this become an issue? If the kid can't or won't comply with the structure set up at the school let him go.

Anthony (Sent Thursday, October 22, 2009 6:25 PM)

First of all, a breach of contract is not a tort. They are two separate categories of law. Second, I agree with one of the above comments. The school should not have told Marcus they would work it out with Adidas if they weren't exactly sure. Again, he probably wouldn't have signed or would have had more time to consider his choice if he would have been given correct information. I don't believe he has an ego at all. He's wearing all other Adidas gear. Forcing players to wear certain shoes is awful I think. Adidas has a very high arc in all of their shoes, including sneakers and cleats. I personally could never wear Adidas shoes because my feet would hurt so bad afterwards. I have only worn Nike for soccer and softball and only Jordan or Nike for basketball. It's a personal preference and a shoe is also an integral part of a player's game. Comfort means a lot when you are on your feet running, jumping, kicking, sprinting, etc. for a long period of time. He sounds like he is being sincere. He got screwed by the school (even if it obviously was unintentional) and now he's facing a difficult choice.
I don't think he's being cocky. I mean how can you be cocky in a game where your dad will most likely outshine any basketball player ever and he will most likely never live up to those expectations. Give the kid a break. He never promised to wear adidas and then got to school and said "No, I don't feel like it now." His dad has a multimillion dollar company that thrives off shoes and clothes supported by Nike and the Jordan brand. To him, family comes first. That's not always a bad thing in this world.

Nikki, NJ (Sent Thursday, October 22, 2009 6:34 PM)

Tell the kid to wear the shoes or take a hike - his attitude shows he is not a team player (just like his Dad).  The school needs the $3 million more than it needs this freshman.

El Oso (Sent Thursday, October 22, 2009 7:33 PM)

I'm with Nikki on this one!! As an athlete what your wear when you're successful at your sport never changes. A lot of us are even superstitious about it.

Besides all that, if I were Marcus and MJ was MY dad, I would do the exact same thing. This is a situation without precedent and both the school & ADIDAS need to give the kid a break. Its about family, and thats bigger than school or some big company's interests contractual or otherwise.

Abe, San Diego (Sent Thursday, October 22, 2009 8:33 PM)

Remember the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Reebok warmups...so Jordan had to wear the flag draped over the logos. Like father, like son.
UCF knew this would happen and would lead to national press. Might as well call Marcus "Ballon Boy" after all how often is UCF Basketball on the national radar?

Jack, Phoenix (Sent Thursday, October 22, 2009 9:52 PM)

There is one thing that no one has mention the NCAA has very strict rules. No one has knows what the NCAA will do about this.

Mizzou, columbia, MO (Sent Friday, October 23, 2009 1:00 AM)

WEAR THE ADIDAS!!!, The kid and his parents knew that UCF was an Adidas school.  They made the desision to go there knowing that was the case.  There have been instances in the past where other brands have been worn due to sizing issues and injury but this is not the case here.  UCF is not a Nike school, bottom line.

Enoch (Sent Friday, October 23, 2009 9:24 AM)

Why is Marcus Jordan being painted as the bad guy here? UCF knew they had an adidas contract long before the Jordan family did. UCF TOLD HIM HE COULD WEAR NIKE SHOES.

Dave (Sent Friday, October 23, 2009 9:34 AM)

Nikki from NJ - I didn't say breach of contract was a tort, I said that INDUCING a breach of contract was a tort.  And that's what Nike would be doing if they tried to step in here if there is an existing contract.  They (Nike) would be INDUCING the contract breach, which is a tort and is also know as tortious interference or tortious inducement of breach of contract.  Maybe you need to study your bar exam materials or 1st year law books again.

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Friday, October 23, 2009 2:55 PM)

Have Michael write a check for $3 million to UCF to cover the loss of the contract and baby boy can wear flip flops if he wants.

Jeff (Sent Friday, October 23, 2009 3:11 PM)

Try being a college freshman, son of MJ, and be in this situaltion with UCF.  Can you sa " no pressure??"  I guess not.  For Marcus to be able to say what he said ("It's a level of importance with the Jordan brand and my family. It's no disrespect to adidas. I have a high level of respect for adidas, but I'm going to be wearing Jordan shoes. I'm wearing the adidas uniform, and all my other UCF gear is adidas, but the shoes are going to be Jordan brand.") is very admirable.  Some of the postings are just inconsiderate, sent from a juvenile to a grown up freshman.

fern g, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Sunday, October 25, 2009 9:38 AM)

If UCF wanted Marcus Jordan to wear Adidas they should have never recruited him. This is a no brainer. Both Adidas and UCF knew the risks and rewards and both took it. Just imagine the news MJ wearing adidas "Marcus Jordan". But Marcus name will be in the fine print.  Now everybody knows that MJ's son plays for UCF. So UCF now has a recruiting tool, if the greatest player that ever has played the game sends his son to UCF you should come too.

Bob, Tampa, Fl (Sent Friday, November 06, 2009 1:13 PM)

Anyone who has followed this story at all knows that Marcus Jordan is the victim here and to a lesser degree, so is UCF.  UCF recruited Marcus, he asked if it would be a problem to wear Nike shoes and they went to regional Adidas rep who said it would not be a problem.  Give the kid a break - he is not a bad guy.

Orlando Dude (Sent Tuesday, November 24, 2009 9:22 PM)



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