Thank you. I agree with most your comments.
Except I think Hawi didn't miss-read anything, I think he is a gentle spirit and a good guy who is taking his marching orders from his client... "Boris has expressed an interest to not continue with Nike," probably means Boris is telling Mawi what to do, rather than Mawi holding firm and telling him "dude, the contract you previously signed, DOESN'T allow you that option.
Sidebay, the stupid papers that Symmonds, Lady Oiselle and others signed show how immature they are in their hate for Nike.
A contract exists for a reason. Terms and enforceability of those terms.
To others: Nike is not doing this to Boris. This is an unheard of situation -- that BORIS HAS DONE TO HIMSELF by letting too many NB and NB teammates brainwash him.
Nike clearly sees and saw, Boris as a potential hot rising star, and offered to match, without reductions, they just wanted confirmation that NB didn't have reductions hiding in the closet.
Also, reductions in other contracts can happen for other reasons...morals clauses, number of appearances at required events (non competing), whatever...
OVERWHELMINGLY, BORIS and MAWI's best bet would be to fall on their swords, say they lost their heads, and -- after telling NB they are going to ask NB for more, seeing how NB's advice has screwed up Boris's head/mindset. Get a better offer from NB, and get Nike to match that. (If legal by terms of first Nike contract...)
Everybody wants to blame the 900lb Gorilla, "everybody"/malcontents always wants to blame the 900lb Gorilla in almost every industry.
fyi: I'm a Nick Symmonds fan, the dude, however, is too shallow emotional and social intelligence-wise to realize he's an egotist at least or a mild narcissistic sociopath at worst (Preying on young runnergtls/women.) He's a maleslut for goo-goo eye'd female. Using the excuse that he isn't going to do monogamy until after he's done focusing on his career...after which he'll be so indentured in his behavior...that he'll come up with a new excuse ("I'm just really focused on my post athletic career businesses now.") #Manwhore. And hey, most guys want variety in the rack, and most guys would say "well done, Nick," lol.
A spade is a spade.