• NY Sports Journalism, Friday, September 11, 2009 10:43 AM

Reebok, a division of Adidas, is the official apparel partner of the National Football League, which presented a bit of a dilemma for Nike's new campaign for its Pro Combat padded protective undergarments. That's why you won't see all-pro running back Adrian Peterson wearing a Minnesota Vikings uniform as he scores a winning touchdown in a driving storm by running through and around the opposition.

Underneath it all, of course, is Pro Combat gear and, when Peterson removes his uniform in the locker room, it "appears to have morphed onto his skin from head to toe," writes Barry Janoff.

The campaign, which also features NFL stars such as Brian Urlacher, Justin Tuck and Steven Jackson, comes at a time when exclusive contracts with the NFL, such as Reebok's 10-year deal, are being challenged in court by American Needle, Janoff reports. Its appeal of defeats in lower federal courts is due to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court during its next session.

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