Nike v. Boris Berian - The Lawsuit

David 1, Goliath 0: Nike Has Dropped Its Lawsuit Against Boris Berian

Berian is now free to run for whomever he pleases at the 2016 US Olympic Trials.
June 23, 2016

LetsRun.com Legal Expert Weighs in On Today's Non-Decision by Judge Hernández in Nike vs Berian Lawsuit

An update from our legal expert.
June 22, 2016

Decision On Temporary Injunction Delayed To Wednesday June 29th After Boris Berian And Nike Square Off In Court In Portland

Breaking news from Oregon.
June 22, 2016

What Did Boris Berian Say Under Oath? Before They Square Off In Court Today, Boris Berian's Deposition Is Released

The case may be decided today when the two sides square off at 5 pm ET. *MB: Official Discussion Thread For Boris Berian’s Contract Dispute - Court Case is today at 5 pm ET
June 22, 2016

Court Filings Reveal That Nike's Proposed Contract To Boris Berian Was Full Of Reductions - Contract Could Even Be Terminated If Berian Was Injured And Didn't Compete For 180 Days

Court documents reveal that Nike certainly didn't agree to pay Berian a minimum of $375,000 over three years ($125,000 per year). Nike wanted to have the right to terminate the agreement entirely if Berian was injured and didn't compete for 180 days. If Berian got injured and only competed a handful of times and didn't make Worlds and wasn't ranked in the top 10 in the world, they wanted to be able to reduce his pay from $125,000 to $6,250. If he died or was permanently disabled, they also wanted to be able to cancel the deal. Berian says that's one reason why he doesn't want to run for Nike - the other is he doesn't like their shoes as he bombed out of USAs the first time he competed in them last year.
June 17, 2016

Boris Berian Lawsuit Update: One Week To Go Until Both Sides Square Off In Court; Nike's Proposed Contract That Reportedly Had 2 Pages Of Reductions In It Has Not Been Publicly Filed Yet

An update.
June 14, 2016

The Restraining Order That Nike Sought Against Boris Berian Is Now Out - Read It Here - Plus Under Penalty of Perjury Nick Symmonds, Jesse Williams and Sally Bergesen Support Berian

We've received the copy of the minute order from a legal expert and they provide a little analysis of what it all means. We also have copies of sworn affidavits in support of Berian from Jesse Williams, Nick Symmonds and Sally Bergesen. Under penalty of perjury, Williams said he's never signed an athlete to a contact with reductions in it in 12 + years at Brooks.
June 8, 2016

Nike Is Granted Temporary Restraining Order in Its Lawsuit Against Boris Berian

Nike got the 14-day temporary restraining order (TRO) it was seeking even though under the penalty of perjury New Balance's John Evans said his contractual offer to Berian had no reductions in it.
June 8, 2016

Pro Runners React To Boris Berian's Contract - Most Greatly Underestimated How Much He Was Offered

June 6, 2016

Boris Berian's Legal Team Files Its First Response To Nike Lawsuit - Alleges Nike's Legal Strategy Is "Clearly" Designed To Interfere With His Training

Things are heating up in the courtroom and a hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday. Meanwhile, the stress of it has caused Berian to pull out of his final two pre-Olympic Trials races. *MB: Official Discussion Thread For Boris Berian's Contract Dispute
June 6, 2016

New Court Filings Reveal What the Nike vs. Boris Berian Lawsuit Is Really About - The 'Dreaded' Reduction Clause

New court filings reveal that when Nike agreed to match the New Balance's offer to Boris Berian they then sent him a contract that included reduction clauses whereas the New Balance offer sheet did not mention them. Nike justified this by saying the clauses are "standard in track and field endorsement contracts."
June 4, 2016

Find Out What A Top Pro Track and Field Runner Makes: Boris Berian's New Balance Contract Offer Revealed

June 4, 2016

Get The Inside Scoop On Why Nike Is Suing World Indoor Champ Boris Berian For Breach Of Contract

We've read through the lawsuit and tell you why Nike, a company with a $95 billion market cap, is suing the guy who two years ago was working at McDonald's. Updated with statement from Merhawi Keflelzighi. *MB: Holy cow!! Nike just served Boris Berian at the Hoka One One Meet - They are suing him for breach of contract
May 21, 2016
Portland, Oregon
May 20, 2016 to June 28, 2016

Or should it be entitled Goliath v. David?

Outside Letsrun

NationalLawReview.com Calls It Ironic That Boris Berian Overcame His Nike Suit Just To End Up Wearing Nike In Rio Anyway

August 2, 2016

Recommended Read: Runner's World Profile On "The Other Keflezighi", Meb's Agent And Brother Merhawi

Usually behind the scenes, Merhawi found himself in the spotlight as he took on Nike over the Boris Berian contract dispute. Read how Merhawi got his start as Meb's agent and has expanded his roster so he'll have 4 Olympians in Rio.
July 26, 2016

Good Read: The Guardian: "Boris Berian Earns Hero Status Off The Track By Winning Run-In With Nike"

British journalist Sean Ingle praises Berian as "the maverick American" who faced down Nike. LRC gets mention.
June 27, 2016

Keflezighi tells Bloomberg Berian's "first preference" is to sign with New Balance

June 24, 2016

The Oregonian: "Nike, Facing Skeptical Judge, Drops Endorsement Lawsuit Against Berian"

This a day after Nike told the federal court it woudl suffer "irreparable harm" if Berian went to NB.
June 24, 2016

Out Of The Goodness Of Their Hearts: Nike Says It Dropped Their Lawsuit To "Eliminate The Distraction" For Boris Berian Ahead Of The Trials

We're sure eliminating all the bad publicity was a consideration as well.
June 24, 2016

Ken Goe's Take On The Boris Berian Case Before Nike Dropped The Lawsuit

"I don't understand now, and haven't understood since this began, why Nike wants to force Berian to stay in the fold if he doesn't want to be there. Let him go."
June 24, 2016

Denver Post Talks To Merhawi Keflezighi

Keflezighi says even with the temporary restraining order expired, Berian won't be "too aggressive" or "rock the boat".
June 23, 2016

Boris Berian still in limbo as Nike battle continues

From Jeff Manning of Oregonian.
June 22, 2016

Boris Berian Defense Fund Launched

June 21, 2016

Nike Vs. Berian Lawsuit Makes The Front Page Of The WSJ - "Nike Plays Hardball to Keep Its Athletes"

June 8, 2016

Boris Berian can't wear, endorse gear from Nike competitors, judge rules

Merhawi Keflezighi also reveals the proposed Nike contract had two pages of reductions. Denver Post
June 8, 2016

Nike Seeking Federal Court Order To Halt Boris Berian From Running With New Balance Gear

Nike had the "right of first refusal" and claim they matched the NB offer. Berian's lawyer says, "We have a different view on that, and this matter will play itself it out in the courts.'' *MB: Boris Berian forced to scratch out of the rest of my races, maybe even the trials
June 4, 2016

Oregonian's Ken Goe: Regardless Of Who Is Right Or Wrong, "Nike Already hast Lost The Public Relations Battle"

Goe calls it "a classic little guy vs. the machine story."
May 22, 2016
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