University of Kansas may want to reconsider Adidas deal
By Stan Unruh
The University of Kansas and Adidas are partners. Should the university reconsider their relationship following accusations of a bribe scheme?
Tuesday’s news that linked Adidas and NCAA basketball coaches to a bribe scandal rocked the headlines. I know it shook a few Kansas basketball fans too. It is obviously shocking to anyone anytime someone with whom you work is mentioned in connection with the FBI, arrests, fraud and corruption. The University of Kansas works closely with Adidas.
According to Dan Wentzel at yahoo sports, a member of the Oklahoma State coaching staff and former Kansas State Alum is among those accused and arrested. The Big 12 Conference early Tuesday did not make any statement. On the other hand, it is probably too early to say much. Adidas executives are not saying much either except they didn’t know.
As a matter of fact, Kansas basketball fans just learned last week, in the midst of the Raise the Chant announcement, that the university and Adidas agreed to extend their working relationship. The multi-million-dollar deal is huge for both parties. With Tuesday’s news it might not be a great deal for the Jayhawks.
From the little we do know, federal prosecutors accused coaches at four universities including one Big 12 School. The only Big 12 school mentioned is Oklahoma State. There is one Southeastern Conference school and two in the Pac-12. Nobody said a word about the University of Kansas. Considering what we know, any school tied to Adidas will have to ask a lot of questions.
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It will be interesting to see how Kansas Athletic Director Dr. Sheahon Zenger handles this. If these accusations, and they are just that, accusations of bribes are accurate, Adidas could face a lot of trouble and huge negative publicity. Kansas Jayhawks fans don’t need that kind of publicity. Maybe a NIKE rep is already on the phone to Dr. Zenger?