[Aswdwdfg]

From CNBC:


If someone said they’d pay you thousands and thousands of dollars to wear a shoe, how bad would a shoe have to be for you not to wear it?
I’m asking that of Novak Djokovic today.

Djokovic is the third ranked men’s tennis player in the world. He’s also adidas’ top endorser, given that both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are sponsored by [B]Nike NIKE INC
NKE


65.97 -0.93 -1.39%
NYSE



Djokovic had adidas logos all over his apparel at yesterday’s first round match at Wimbledon against Michael Berrer. But his most important piece of equipment was his shoes. And it appears like he was wearing Nikes.

Djokovic did an excellent job--maybe the best we’ve seen--at whiting out what is a black Air logo on the tongue and on the Nike swoosh on the side of the shoe. Unfortunately, we here at Sports Biz, all the way across the Atlantic Ocean, have too many good sources at the All England Tennis Club, who tipped us off.

Take a look at the image of Djokovic’s shoe during the match and then compare it to Nike Air Max Breathe Cage II’s. You can see on the tongue where he covered up the Nike logo and the air holes are just a total giveaway. Plus, the fact that his regular adidas shoes have three black stripes on it.

Source: Tenniswarehouse.com
Nike Air



The unconfirmed story we were told is that Djokovic felt he was slipping too much on the grass court earlier this month while playing the Queen’s Club tournament in London, in which he lost to Rafael Nadal in the finals.

I went back through photos and found Djokovic wearing the adidas shoes at an adidas promotional event on June 18th in London and he was wearing his adidas shoes throughout the entire Queen’s Club tournament.

Continues.....
http://www.cnbc.com/id/25346774

[downtowndude]

I hope he will at least have the decency to pro-rate his yearly endorsement package and give Adidas a two weeks rebate.

[Aswdwdfg]

I know the gentleman that wrote the blog and it reminded me of when Blake was "covering up" his Dunlop racquet when he was endorsing Prince.

[SiM7W2zi]

well...at least he doesn't have to write "Vamos Nole" on his sneakers anymore!


My guess is that with all his clothing being Adidas as well, they are happy enough with the coverage, and the association with Novak, that it's a big non-issue.

Interesting story in Sampras's book about when he switched frolm Sergio Tacchini to Nike. Nike's first shoe for Pete gave him all kinds of problems.

[bomondus]

There is an update on damage control on the bottom. Adidas says they had allowed him to wear the shoe. I'm not convinced. I'm guessing he's going to get a couple hundred thousand shaved off his contract for creating all this bad PR for them.

[Aswdwdfg]

There is an update on damage control on the bottom. Adidas says they had allowed him to wear the shoe. I'm not convinced. I'm guessing he's going to get a couple hundred thousand shaved off his contract for creating all this bad PR for them.

We shall see what happens. I'll make a bet that Wertheim will mention this in the mailbag because he and Rovell are very good friends.

[bomondus]

Well, this actually worked out really well for Adidas in the end. I always knew they were better than Nike.

[seodiary]

Well, this actually worked out really well for Adidas in the end. I always knew they were better than Nike.

Aussie Open victory: $1,370,000
PLO@IW victory: $555,000
Masters' Series Rome victory: 360,000 Euros

Openly wearing a competitor's shoe and then losing ... priceless.

[Poohoppesmase]

Pretty sure that Murray was wearing Adidas shoes at Queens but switched to Nike footwear yesterday. Seems to be a bit of a consensus amongst the players that the Nike shoes are giving better grip on the grass.

[nebrarlepleme]

Aussie Open victory: $1,370,000
PLO@IW victory: $555,000
Masters' Series Rome victory: 360,000 Euros

Openly wearing a competitor's shoe and then losing ... priceless.

Funniest thing I have read in awhile

[Aswdwdfg]

Aussie Open victory: $1,370,000
PLO@IW victory: $555,000
Masters' Series Rome victory: 360,000 Euros

Openly wearing a competitor's shoe and then losing ... priceless.

Scotty now this is priceless!!!!

[indianstory]

Given all the slipping and sliding the Adidas wearers are doing this week (Youzhny fell like a dozen times), this story makes a lot more sense. As does Adidas giving him the free and clear.

[Aswdwdfg]

Bumping...Wertheim mentions this in his current 50 things to remember...

[Nppracph]

Aussie Open victory: $1,370,000
PLO@IW victory: $555,000
Masters' Series Rome victory: 360,000 Euros

Openly wearing a competitor's shoe and then losing ... priceless.

Hilarious. Great tactic to use