Nike Backs Down in Dispute with Runner

It turns out Boris Berian can just do it.

It being leaving Nike for New Balance.

The acclaimed American runner was hauled into federal court by the Beaverton-based show giant which insisted it would suffer "irreparable harm" if Berian was allowed to leave.

They held a hearing on Wednesday where Nike argued for an injunction. The judge was scheduled to rule next week.

At the hearing, though, Nike's case appeared to be getting weaker.

They had insisted that their contract with Berian guaranteed them the right to match the offer from New Balance and that they had done so,

Berian's lawyers, however, introduced a copy of the contract offered by Nike, which included clauses allowing them to reduce Berian's pay if he didn't achieve certain performance goals.

The New Balance offer didn't include the so-called "reduction" clauses.

On Thursday, Nike filed paperwork dismissing the lawsuit.