No Nike deal yet, UA anticipating company proposal, Likins says

Apparently I was unclear in my telephone communication to reporter Anthony Braza regarding the proposed Nike contract. ("Nike contract pending completion, Likins says"; Arizona Summer Wildcat; June 17) I said in mid-June that I had not yet seen a contract, although I had hoped to have it on my desk before that time. I expressed the expectation that I would have a contract before the end of June.

Anthony reasonably assumed that I meant to sign a contract before the end of June, but I meant only to say that I hoped to receive a contract for signature before that time. This was no more than a hope; I had then and still have no such assurances. I have absolutely no prospect of resolving the matter by signing a contract before June. There will be work to do after the contract reaches my desk.

Until I see a contract, I can't say exactly what my next step will be, but I have serious obligations for consultation before any commitments are made.

I will be guided in the consultation process by the Professor Jerry Hogle, chairman of the faculty, Tara Taylor, student body president, Professor Tom Wilson, chairman of the Faculty Senate committee on University Corporate Relations, and Monica Wilson, a student member of that committee Ð in addition to the necessary consultations with University Attorney Mike Proctor.

I intend to do my very best to keep this process open, recognizing the legal obligations that constrain any negotiation of this kind.

Peter Likins

President, University of Arizona