But on May 20, his outdoor season would be derailed at a meet he wasn’t even competing in.
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Berian, 23, from Big Bear Lake, California, was fighting the lawsuit that Nike brought in April, which alleged that he violated a short-term contract he signed in June 2015. Nike felt it matched an offer presented by New Balance Athletics Inc., which Berian preferred. If that was true, Berian would have been obligated to remain under Nike sponsorship, but the matching offer included reductions.
Nike contested the claim, insisting it had tabled an offer equivalent to the deal put forward by New Balance, reportedly worth $375,000 (329,000 euros) over three years. There is confirmed that Berian a Nike spokesperson no longer a Nike player. These reduction clauses are the reason that the Berian camp claims the Nike offer is not equal to the New Balance offer. Now the case is resolved, so Berian can compete wherever he wants for whomever he wants. New Balance has proven that terms that reduce the guaranteed value of a contract for poor performance are not standard operating procedure.
Symmonds, along with Brooks marketing manager Jesse Williams and Oiselle Running Chief Executive Officer Sally Bergesen, filed depositions supporting Berian. Before emerging with a 1:43.34 run in the 800 meters, Berian worked at a McDonald’s in Colorado to support himself while he trained. The company said it wanted “to eliminate this distraction” for the athlete on the eve of the U.S. Olympic trials. Now that Nike has dropped the lawsuit, he is free to sign a contract and wear the apparel of New Balance.
“Both Boris and I are very relieved and happy to hear Nike’s decision”, Keflezighi said. Keflezighi pointed out that Nike sponsors Team USA, so the uniform that Berian was required to wear at the World Indoor Championships and would be required to wear at the Olympics would feature Nike labels.
The case may soon be resolved.
Nike’s lawyers argued in court filings that Keflezighi didn’t disclose New Balance’s lack of reductions to Nike.
Both Berian and Nike are likely trying to settle this dispute outside of court as soon as possible.
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In a stunning move a week before the start of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, Nike on Thursday dropped its contract lawsuit against Boris Berian, the reigning world indoor 800 meter champion and graduate of Widefield High School.
