In the world of sports, names don’t get much bigger than Michael Jordan. His incredible 32,292-point basketball career included two NBA slam-dunk champion wins, five MVP designations, six league championship wins, and a place on the United States gold-medal-winning Olympic Basketball team twice—to name a few. However, his popularity doesn’t stem only from his mastery of the game. He also became an icon of pop culture in entertainment and fashion. In fact, the cultural impact of Michael Jordan shoes is still apparent today.
Origin of an Icon
An Unlikely Start
As iconic as the relationship between Michael Jordan and Nike is, it almost didn’t happen. When Nike approached Jordan with the sponsorship in 1984, this Rookie of the Year wasn’t a big fan of the brand and was leaning toward Adidas. Even after he went with Nike, designer Peter Moore had to go through several designs before Jordan himself approved of the shoe.
Design & Controversy
The design of the Air Jordan was innovative, using air technology in the sole for better cushioning while still creating a shoe that was low to the ground for greater mobility. The design made it one of the best shoes for playing a variety of sports, not just basketball. However, it was the color that caused the biggest stir at the time.
The NBA had a rule that shoes must be primarily white. The original Air Jordans were red and black, like the Chicago Bulls. This upstart resulted in the NBA instituting a ban on the shoes and a $5,000 penalty every time Jordan wore them on the court. Nike paid the fine every time and even used the ban directly in an advertisement. The shoes’ sales exploded right along with Jordan’s career, selling 126 million dollars’ worth in its first year alone.
Rise of the “Sneakerheads”
The term “sneakerhead” isn’t necessarily a popular one, but most are aware of the phenomenon, even if not by name. Sneakerheads are people who are a fan of and collect sneakers. When Air Jordans hit the market, there were sneaker fans already, even ones who specifically wanted basketball shoes. But the movement ignited with Jordan’s shoes and received a yearly boost when Nike released a new pair of sneakers.
Impact of Sneakerhead Culture
Although they don’t necessarily play a huge role in the financial sector, the cultural impact of Michael Jordan shoes and the sneakerheads who love them has affected the world of street fashion. The look of Air Jordans and jeans has brought a whole new level of prestige to streetwear, and for some communities, sneakers have become a symbol of identity and status.
Along with this, many sneakerheads view their hobby as a means of preserving history. After all, every shoe represents a moment in Jordan’s career, from his introduction to the Bulls to the iconic moment he shattered the backboard during an Italian Exhibition match. And in a sense, capturing moments of his history captures the history of the game—and our culture as a whole.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
