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Nike Inc. responded to a probe by U.S. federal authorities into criminal influence in NCAA basketball, saying it “strongly opposes any form of manipulation.”

“Nike believes in fair and ethical play -- both in business and sports,” Greg Rossiter, a spokesman for the world’s largest athletic brand, said by phone.

On Tuesday, prosecutors unveiled criminal charges against college-basketball coaches, managers and financial advisers. Representatives of sportswear companies such as Adidas AG also were named. The alleged schemes include illicit payoffs to steer young athletes toward powerhouse schools and into clothing contracts and financial-advisory deals.

Though Nike wasn’t directly linked to the case, former employee Merl Code also was named by prosecutors.

“Merl Code left Nike more than three years ago and is no longer a Nike employee,” Rossiter said.

— With assistance by Christian Berthelsen, Matthew Townsend, and Bob Van Voris