University must find new sponsor

By Raphael Goodstein

Daily Sports Editor

There will be life after Nike for Michigan's athletic department.

Nike severed its ties with Michigan's athletic department Thursday by refusing to renew its contract because the University joined the Workers' Rights Consortium and thus demanded that Nike conform to any demands made during the life of the contract.

One day after the break-up, Michigan was already being pursued by Reebok, Adidas and Puma - the three largest footwear and apparel companies after Nike.

"We have been in contact with (Reebok, Adidas and Puma) but it's only been one day, We're going to leave our options open," Interim Athletic Director Bill Martin said.

Nike has outfitted Michigan for the last six years, and the two parties were close to agreeing on a six-year extension.

"I felt like we were on the five yard line," Martin said.

Nike's dominance over the athletic apparel industry is widely accepted.

But its labor practices have not been.

"They made the requirement that they could impose standards at any point during the contract and we'd have to adhere to them," Nike director of college sports marketing Kit Morris said. "I don't foresee" getting back together with Michigan.

The WRC - who has accused Nike of forcing its employees to work under poor conditions - wanted to set up a watchdog system over Nike and other companies that have been accused of using sweatshops.

But Nike's Labor Practice Manager Simon Pestridge said that Nike's working conditions are superior to other companies.

"Michigan will not find another company who will be able to reach our standards," he said.

Members of the WRC who hope to improve Nike's working conditions have challenged this claim.

"A movement with more than 250 campus chapters organizing for change will hopefully convince Nike that it can do business in a fair and responsible manner," WRC governing board representative and LSA senior Peter Romer Friedman said.

Many Michigan athletes have supported the University's stand.

"I think Michigan did a positive thing," senior all-Big Ten football player Anthony Thomas said. "The person makes the player, not the shoe. I don't see (using a different company) being a problem. The 'swoosh' is just a symbol."

Schools outfitted by Adidas have won a share of four of the last seven football national titles.

"People like Nebraska and they wear Adidas," junior football player Marquise Walker said.

Noted Football powers Notre Dame and Tennessee also wear Adidas.

Walker said doesn't think the change will affect his on-the-field performance, but he likes Nike's styles.

"I like the jerseys and shoes now. A lot of people like Nike's. Most of my shoes growing up were Nike," Walker said.

Football alum and New York Giant rookie Dhani Jones said he admires Michigan's position.

"Every kid from five to 85 loves Nike. They think of Nike, they sleep with Nike and they dream of Nike. (But) any time an institution like Michigan puts its name on the line, that's a tremendous thing," Jones said.

Martin said there was never doubt about what Michigan should do.

"This University is not called Nike University. There are many Nikes out there, but there's only one Michigan," he said. But Nike's Labor Practice Manager Simon Pestridge said that Nike's working conditions are superior to other companies.

"Michigan will not find another company who will be able to reach our standards," he said.

Members of the WRC who hope to improve Nike's working conditions have challenged this claim.

"A movement with more than 250 campus chapters organizing for change will hopefully convince Nike that it can do business in a fair and responsible manner," WRC governing board representative and LSA senior Peter Romer Friedman said.

Many Michigan athletes have supported the University's stand.

"I think Michigan did a positive thing," senior all-Big Ten football player Anthony Thomas said. "The person makes the player, not the shoe. I don't see (using a different company) being a problem. The 'swoosh' is just a symbol."

Schools outfitted by rival Adidas have won a share of four of the last seven football national titles.

"People like Nebraska and they wear Adidas," junior football player Marquise Walker said.

Noted football powers Notre Dame and Tennessee also wear Adidas.

Walker said he doesn't think the change will affect his on-the-field performance, but he likes Nike's styles.

"I like the jerseys and shoes now. A lot of people like Nike's. Most of my shoes growing up were Nike," Walker said.

Former Wolverine and current New York Giant rookie Dhani Jones said he admires Michigan's position.

"Every kid from five to 85 loves Nike. They think of Nike, they sleep with Nike and they dream of Nike. (But) any time an institution like Michigan puts its name on the line, that's a tremendous thing," Jones said.

Martin said there was never doubt about what Michigan should do.

"This University is not called Nike University. There are many Nikes out there, but there's only one Michigan,"he said.

FILE PHOTO

Nike had become synonymous with Michigan athletics - as seen by the 'swoosh' emblems all over Chris Howard's uniform in 1996.