Just because Spencer Nel said that they didn't competitive bid doesn't mean that adidas wasn't consulted. I've done deals larger than the Nike deal that weren't bid out. But, you better believe that I consulted other suitors and, when it became clear that they couldn't come close to the terms that were proffered by another party, they were out.
If I did that to Spencer Nel, I'm sure he'd say what he said to you re: USATF and Nike.
Happens all the time.
Doesn't mean that USATF didn't negotiate the best deal.
But, you'd have to be privy to the details to know.
Again, I'm not saying that MS and USTAF did a good job here. I don't know if they did. I'm just saying that they could've done a good job without competitive bidding and with adidas, puma, UA, etc. griping that 'they didn't get a chance to bid' etc.