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http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2015/story/_...ard-dash-s

UAB wide receiver JJ Nelson ran the fastest time in the combine (4.28) and did it in Adidas cleats, but company spokesman Michael Ehrlich said Nelson didn't sign with the brand before running.

Cheap way to get out of paying off

why would they pay him?

Has he signed with anyone yet?

Rules are rules.

(02-23-2015 09:22 PM)LairDweller Wrote:  why would they pay him?

Because Dr. Watts ask Adidas to do so to make up for shutting down the football program.

(02-23-2015 10:13 PM)TPBlaze84 Wrote:  Has he signed with anyone yet?

I know who I wouldn't sign with, if it were me.

(02-23-2015 10:50 PM)Smaug Wrote:  

(02-23-2015 10:13 PM)TPBlaze84 Wrote:  Has he signed with anyone yet?

I know who I wouldn't sign with, if it were me.

No shiznit!

Did JJ know this before hand ?

(02-23-2015 09:20 PM)blazerwkr Wrote:  Cheap way to get out of paying off

According to the article, they paid Brandin Cooks the promised $100,000 last year, and he then turned around and signed with Nike. Once burned, twice cautious.

(02-24-2015 01:07 AM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  Did JJ know this before hand ?

Birdsong
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/...ver_sports

I'm pretty sure he surprised everyone. If the criteria was that you had to have signed before the combine, Adidas certainly was not gonna sign 100 WRs, RBS, and CBs just in case. I don't think he really had the opportunity to sign beforehand. So, its basically a bonus for those who sign with Adidas even though they didn't promote the "pre-signing" portion of it all when drumming up publicity...

(02-24-2015 09:26 AM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  

(02-24-2015 01:07 AM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  Did JJ know this before hand ?

Birdsong
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/...ver_sports

I'm pretty sure he surprised everyone. If the criteria was that you had to have signed before the combine, Adidas certainly was not gonna sign 100 WRs, RBS, and CBs just in case. I don't think he really had the opportunity to sign beforehand. So, its basically a bonus for those who sign with Adidas even though they didn't promote the "pre-signing" portion of it all when drumming up publicity...

That's kind of what I was thinking. Nothing against JJ, but what good would signing a player like him do Adidas? It didnt say anywhere that he was offered and declined to sign.

I think they should have it as an open prize meaning whoever wins gets it although they could lower the amt. If they then want to sign w/ Addidas afterwards then they can work something else out as a regular endorsement deal. As it is, to me, this is a lot like being given a Chevy truck for being MVP of Super Bowl but then they renege on giving it to you after you've earned the honor if you weren't already signed to a Chevy contract before the game began

(02-24-2015 06:06 PM)blazerwkr Wrote:  I think they should have it as an open prize meaning whoever wins gets it although they could lower the amt. If they then want to sign w/ Addidas afterwards then they can work something else out as a regular endorsement deal. As it is, to me, this is a lot like being given a Chevy truck for being MVP of Super Bowl but then they renege on giving it to you after you've earned the honor if you weren't already signed to a Chevy contract before the game began

thats ridiculous

It's not like Adidas can't find an extra $100K as a rounding error in their marketing budget. A lot more cost-effective PR than "Sucks to be you!"

According to the latest Birdsong article, JJ wasn't offered an Adidas contract so couldn't sign. BTW JJ is gonna be on ESPN SPORTSCENTER tonight at 6:40...

(02-24-2015 06:12 PM)LairDweller Wrote:  

(02-24-2015 06:06 PM)blazerwkr Wrote:  I think they should have it as an open prize meaning whoever wins gets it although they could lower the amt. If they then want to sign w/ Addidas afterwards then they can work something else out as a regular endorsement deal. As it is, to me, this is a lot like being given a Chevy truck for being MVP of Super Bowl but then they renege on giving it to you after you've earned the honor if you weren't already signed to a Chevy contract before the game began

thats ridiculous

How so? If they're going to offer a prize for fastest time they shouldn't put such stipulations of "Oh by the way you must sign w/ us beforehand & be one of us to actually win it" in small letters hidden behind an * in legalese as sometimes the unexpected happens. 100K is chump/pocket change for companies as large as Addidas as 56-58 said plus how would it look if the fastest Addidas time was by some OL/DL who put in the slowest times beaten by a bunch of Nike reps??? As to lowering it, I would be all for that for future combines as long as it's open to the fastest time regardless of endorsement deal. If they're afraid of a Nike rep winning it then they should just stop putting up the money altogether as they're getting bad pub either way.

Because they didn't offer a prize for the fastest time

So I watched the ESPN interview with JJ and he stated that Adidas never offered him an endorsement deal. His exact words were "It's not like I turned down an endorsement deal with adidas". I think he'll be playing on Sundays anyway so Adidas can go to hell!

This is not the first time at the fair for Adidas. Adidas and Puma were at one time each owned by highly competitive brothers in Germany and had the sports shoe market (at first mainly track & Field) all to themselves until Nike and others got into the game. I believe it was the two of them that originated the use of distinctive markings that became the logo on a company's shoes so they could compete against each other for athletes and customers.

If I had to guess a reason, it might have had more to do with JJ NOT being from a P5 conference school like those who they did "invite" to sign before the combine events. Only outsiders - like UAB fans - know that Adidas rewarded the second, third and fourth (at best) fastest times.