Did you know that Michael Jordan has made over $1 billion from his deal with Nike? Ever since the superstar athlete collaborated with Nike back in 1984, the Air Jordans have been a timeless piece of footwear that has made its way into mainstream fashion.
However, not everybody understands the history of Air Jordans, why they are so important, and how they have managed to stay in the spotlight. Whether you are a sneakerhead or simply love the fashion industry, it’s essential to know the story behind these types of sneakers.
Let’s take a look at everything you should keep in mind.
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Michael Jordan Almost Signed With Adidas Instead of Nike
Initially, Adidas was the company that caught Jordan’s eye. At the time, Adidas was the leading sports brand in the world and was eager to sign MJ.
However, Nike offered Jordan a significantly higher contract and promised him an unprecedented level of creative control over his shoes. In the end, this proved to be a wise decision for both Jordan and Nike. As previously mentioned, he has made more money than he could ever spend in a single lifetime simply because he chose to work with Nike instead of its main competitor.
The Air Jordans Were Created Due to a Marketing Stunt
In the early 1980s, Nike was looking for a way to increase sales of their basketball shoes. At the time, Air Jordans were not performing as well as they had hoped. In order to turn things around, Nike enlisted the help of Michael Jordan and released a commercial that featured the basketball superstar.
This commercial was extremely successful and helped to increase the sales of Air Jordans. Although plenty of people had their eye on him even though he was new to the NBA, more people than ever before began following Michael Jordan along his basketball journey. As a result, you could say that this is one of the greatest investments that Nike ever made.
These Shoes Made Their Way Into Skate Culture
Air Jordans are not just popular among basketball fans. Over the years, these shoes have also become a staple in skate culture.
In fact, many professional skateboarders choose to wear Air Jordans because of their style and comfort. By extension, they have also become prolific in street fashion due to the fact that this form of fashion has its roots in skate culture. Most people would find it difficult to visit a large city like New York or Los Angeles and not encounter a large number of people wearing Air Jordans.
They Were Once Banned by the NBA
In 1992, the NBA issued a memo that stated that players could not wear Air Jordans during games.
This was primarily due to the fact that the league deemed these shoes broke their regulations on player uniforms. At the time, the shoes that players wore had to be mostly white and also reflect the colors of their team. The black and red Air Jordans that MJ chose to wear did not align with these standards.
However, this rule was eventually overturned and Air Jordans have been a part of the NBA ever since.
Hip-Hop Has Made a Large Impact on the Popularity of Air Jordans
Similar to how his shoes have made their way into skate culture, they have also become a staple in hip-hop culture. Countless artists have appeared in hundreds of music videos wearing them. They are also mentioned by name in plenty of different songs. This has caused a surge in their popularity over the past couple of decades.
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Social Media Has Taken Their Popularity Even Further
In recent years, Air Jordans have become even more popular due to the way in which social media has helped to spread the word about them.
Thanks to platforms like Instagram and Twitter, it’s easier than ever for people to see what Air Jordans are trending and how they can be styled. Some people also choose to run their own businesses that focus on customizing Air Jordans, and they primarily use social media to market themselves.
For example, they might purchase a pair of white Air Jordans and use a special type of paint to create a custom design. The end result is an eye-catching pair of shoes that might cause people to become interested in Air Jordans who normally would not have been.
They Are Difficult to Obtain From Retailers
Despite their popularity, Air Jordans can be difficult to obtain from retailers. This is because Nike often releases them in limited quantities and sometimes they are only available in certain parts of the world. Additionally, some people choose to resell them for a higher price than what they originally paid.
As a result, it can be tricky to get your hands on a pair of the latest and greatest Air Jordans for your sneaker collection, but it’s definitely not impossible. It’s not uncommon for buyers to camp out in front of stores overnight in anticipation of their release.
The Air Jordan 1s Remain the Most Popular
Even though Nike has released dozens of different models of Air Jordans over the years, the Air Jordan 1s remain the most popular. This is likely due to the fact that they were MJ’s first pair of shoes and they have a very classic look. In addition, they are often re-released in limited quantities, which causes them to be in high demand.
If you’re looking for a pair of Air Jordan 1s, it’s best to keep an eye out for their upcoming releases so you can get your hands on some before they sell out.
You Shouldn’t Overlook the History of Air Jordans
When examined closely, the history of Air Jordans has plenty of unique nuances that you may not have expected. This can help you better understand where they come from and how you can integrate them into your lifestyle.
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