Bill Gates' three children are understandably banned from using iPods and iPhones, and Michael Jordan's family is equally devoted to the Nike swoosh, which leaves the University of Central Florida in a $3 million pickle.

You see, Marcus Jordan, the basketball icon's middle child, is a freshman guard at UCF, and the school has a six-year, $3 million contract with adidas that requires athletes in all 15 of its sports to wear adidas uniforms and shoes.

The young Jordan reluctantly agreed to wear the uniform, but he draws the line at sneakers.

``It's a level of importance with the Jordan Brand and my family,'' Marcus Jordan explained last week at a team media event. ``It's no disrespect to adidas. I have a high level of respect for adidas, but I'm going to be wearing Jordan shoes. I'm wearing the adidas uniform and all my other UCF gear is adidas, but the shoes are going to be Jordan brand.''

UCF promised Jordan he could wear Nike sneakers, but that isn't sitting well with adidas executives.

The school's contract with the shoe company expires in 2010, and the Jordan situation has strained negotiations for a contract renewal.

``When I was being recruited, we talked about it,'' Marcus Jordan said. ``They said they had talked to the adidas people, and it wasn't going to be a problem. I think everybody understands how big of a deal it is for my family.''

Adidas officials told the Orlando Sentinel that they have not reached an agreement with Central Florida yet about Jordan's shoes.

``There is no compromise, and the contract is currently under review,'' adidas spokeswoman Andrea Corso said.

``We are in negotiations for a future relationship regarding the broader UCF athletic program. What I can say is that these relationships are based upon agreed deliverables for both parties,'' she said.

The kid wants to Be Like Dad. Is that so bad?

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