UConn Coaches Auriemma and Calhoun have lucrative contracts with Nike that may cause them troubles with the State Ethics Commission.

The Hartford Courant article casts light on some of the more disturbing provisions of the contracts:

Auriemma's contract with Nike... has similar provisions requiring the coach to make Nike products available to the team, and allowing Nike to terminate the contract if players fail to wear them. Nike also can sever the pact if Auriemma leaves his job.

The contract requires the women's team to purchase any additional athletic gear it needs only from Nike, at prices set by the sports apparel giant. And the agreement obligates Auriemma to enforce a "dress code" prohibiting players from covering up the Nike swoosh.

The real question with these contracts is whether they are good for the programs and the University. Is it better to let individual coaches negotiate directly with sponsors, or should Nike, Reebok and the rest be limited to dealing with the schools? If college sports teams are going to be in bed with corporate interests, shouldn't the colleges be the ones doing the pimping?

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3. What the law says
4. Investigation
5. Ruling