Patiently awaiting the “Run-DMC” & Nike Endorsement Deal

Posted on January 20th, 2008. Written by Emmett Jones.

You know, by this time next year, when I’m writing about future NFL Running Back Darren McFadden, I’ll be able to do it in my Nike Air McFadden I (c) football shoes! At least, that’s the path that we seem to be headed down, with the news that Nike has decided to pick up the tab on all of McFadden’s pre-NFL combine training.

From Sports Business Daily,

…his training tab is being picked up by Nike as part of the shoe company’s sponsorship of the Michael Johnson Performance Center, sparking speculation that the Univ. of Arkansas (UA) RB will sign an endorsement deal with Nike….Olympic Gold Medal-winning sprinter Johnson opened the Nike-sponsored training center last year…Johnson’s training center in McKinney, Texas, is sponsored by Nike. “As an official training center for Nike athletes, they will send us athletes year in and year out,” Johnson said. “They have been in discussions with Darren … so he came in on their allotment.”

So, besides the fact that McFadden will be picking up a $60 some odd million Nike contract in the future, why is this a big deal? It’s a big deal because a sports agent usually pays for an athlete’s pre-combine training and the combine itself. McFadden and other third-year juniors won’t receive the benefit of an agent’s money because NFL agents were prohibited from contacting underclassmen until yesterday, when the NFL officially released the names of the players eligible for the 2008 Draft. While its still unknown whether or not McFadden will participate in the combine, which starts on February 20th, it looks like his physical conditioning will not be a hindrance in making his decision.

So, is this just merely Nike protecting their investment, or are they just wasting money on a player who isn’t really suited for pro-football? Obviously, we’ll have to wait until next year to begin to find out. But, while we wait, why don’t we do it in some nice new football shoes?

Sporting News: Think McFadden is a can’t miss NFL prospect? Think Again

Sports Business Daily: Nike Picking Up McFadden’s Training Tab; Endorsement Deal Next?

Sporting News: Nike Paying McFadden’s training expenses

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