Here’s What adidas Has To Say About James Harden Wearing Air Jordans

James Harden’s days freewheeling in Air Jordans, or any sneaker other than adidas, appear to be waning.

adidas caught wind of Harden’s Air Jordan 5 weekend outing and spelled out what the brand expects of his future footwear inclinations, per ESPN’s Darren Rovell.

“A guy like Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have a walk-around shoe,” said Mark King, president of adidas North America. “Harden does, and he will be in our lifestyle stuff.”

Harden signed a 13-year, $200 million contract with adidas in August, leading sneaker watchers to surmise that his footwear rotation would immediately convert to an all-adidas lineup.

Only it didn’t, with Harden venturing out in a pair of black and silver Air Jordan 5s for a movie date with girlfriend Khloe Kardashian. TMZ picked up the story, which quickly went viral through social media and essentially painted adidas as cuckold.

King stopped short of issuing a cease and desist level ban to Harden’s non-adidas sneaker choices – Harden’s new contract isn’t active until October 1 – but expects Harden to eschew other brands when the time comes to be an adidas ambassador on and off the court.

“That’s part of the deal,” King said.

James Harden — Still Rocking Air Jordans … What Adidas Deal? (PHOTO) http://t.co/TRjfekboTs pic.twitter.com/MGm9fMqeyM

— People and Stars (@PeopleStarsNewz) September 14, 2015