Skechers has filed paperwork for a messy litigation battle with <a href="/tags/adidas" class="text-word" target="_blank" >Adidas</a>. The charges against Adidas stem from their involvement with student athletes. Skechers claims Adidas is tampering with High School Athletic Program by offering them funding Skechers simply can&#8217;t afford to match. Skechers also feels that Adidas&#8217; funding is a simple workaround to actually paying the athletes upfront. The motion which was filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles claims Adidas &#8220;effectively blocked Skechers and other companies from competing on a level playing field for young, NBA-level endorsers.&#8221; The court document also feels their exposure to young athletes creates a &#8220;perception of Adidas&#8217; overall brand quality and image&#8221; that transcends single coverage. Skechers is thereby seeking a lump sum equivalent to the &#8220;ill-gotten profits, damages for lost sales and diminished brand value and increased advertising and marketing costs&#8221; caused by Adidas as a monopolizing entity. The Manhattan Beach beach shoe manufacturer is also seeking a cessation of activity, in Adidas&#8217; youth basketball agenda. To what end that would take effect is difficult to comprehend. Adidas has a strong foothold in AAU tournaments and programs across the country. It should be noted that Adidas were indicted on bribery charges relating to college basketball gift baskets, all but 8 months ago. <a href="http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/23463876/skechers-sues-adidas-false-advertising-unfair-competition-alleged-payments-high-school-college-players" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">[via ESPN]</a>