Nike is big in the AAU circuit, and from what I've heard that makes it tough for an Under Armour program to get access to those recruits.
I understand this premise. I do not understand why.
My suspicion is benefits. E.g., Do Nike and the other companies have paid "handlers" that take care of things for the AAU coaches? Do these coaches help take care of their players?
There is a lot of expense involved in travel. If so, is the player influenced out of loyalty or familiarity toward one school over another because of the shoe connection? I can't imagine there being someone at Nike calling a recruit and telling them that they need to go a specific school. But, I'm sure their old AAU coach could say this to them and it would hit home. They could stay in touch with the AAU coach throughout their college career and if the coach provides benefits for the player, is this a violation?
Someone needs to splain it to me.