Nike Comes Knocking

You knew it had to happen....the deep pockets of Nike are begining to open to high school football programs around the county. And I for one hope that the sport isn't bastardized like high school basketball has been by "The Sneaker War".

It is being reported in the Greenville News that the Byrnes High School in South Carolina is working on a four-year contract with the Swoosh guys.

Don't get me wrong, as long as all of the money goes to the school and the players, it's a great deal. However, what concerns me is how much the coaches get in these deals, and how it could they way they run their programs. In the article, Byrnes head coach Bobby Bentley says that Nike is going to take the top 20 football teams and make commitments to them.

What does this mean? Does it mean that these geniuses in Beaverton, Oregon only believe there are players from twenty programs that deserve to be helped? Will this result in recruiting wars with players wanting to play only where the Swoosh reigns supreme?

Bottom line, I hope that school administrators keep a close watch on this.

To read the story in the Greenville News please click on The High School Football Huddle headline "Nike Comes Knocking".