FBI not releasing documents regarding Kansas’ deal with Adidas
Kansas appeared to avoid trouble when the FBI made several arrests related to an alleged bribery scandal involving Adidas executives, college and youth basketball coaches, and businessmen. But that may not be completely certain at this point.
The University Daily Kansas says they requested documents from the FBI involving Kansas and Adidas but were denied by the organization due to an ongoing investigation. The denial does not mean Kansas committed any wrongdoing, but it does mean the FBI has some records that mention the school.
The FBI on Sept. 26 said coaches from Arizona, Auburn, Oklahoma State and USC had been arrested for their alleged participation in bribery.
Kansas, which has an endorsement deal with Adidas, said the day of the arrests that they had not been contacted by the feds about the case.
“I think the answer that I gave about the fact that no federal authorities have contacted us about this case, I’m just going to let that answer speak for itself,” associate athletic director Jim Marchiony told the Topeka Capital-Journal on Sept. 26.
Kansas announced a new 14-year, $191 million sponsorship deal with Adidas a week before the scandal broke. The school has been sponsored by Adidas since 2005.
