Auburn football team ditches Nike

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) _ Auburn's football team will no longer be sporting the Nike swoosh. <br/><br/>The Tigers will be the nation's only team wearing New Balance football cleats in the fall after

Friday, July 22nd 2005, 11:19 am

By: News On 6

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) _ Auburn's football team will no longer be sporting the Nike swoosh.

The Tigers will be the nation's only team wearing New Balance football cleats in the fall after coach Tommy Tuberville declined to ask his players to stop taping over the Nike logo -- as tailbacks Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown did last season.

Players like the taped-up look, while Tuberville said displaying the logo was not worth risking risk an ankle, foot or leg injury.

New Balance is providing some 400 shoes, including football shoes, training shoes and lifting shoes. Almost all are individually fitted.

Instead of endorsement money, Auburn will receive an endless supply of shoes.

New Balance has already custom fit each player. Auburn began wearing the shoes in the spring.

The biggest shoes to fill: size 16-EEs, worn by three players.