NIKE AIR JORDAN XXIII

Published January 30, 2008 by admin

Sneakerheads are salivating over the looming release of Nike’s Air Jordan XXIII Shoe. But the shoe is not just making waves in those circles. The shoe and it’s launch are being closely watched by all sorts of media outlets.

Speculation is rampant that the Air Jordan XXIII ( the 23rd edition of the iconic shoe) may be the last version with the legendary baller’s endorsement, since he wore No. 23 on his jersey.

But as for now, the facts are that it will be a “green” shoe, or what Nike labels as “Nike Considered”. According to Fortune magazine this is, “an approach to design that favors environmentally-preferable materials, reduces toxic chemicals and curbs waste.” For example, Nike vice president Tinker Hartfield told Fortune that the shoe will, “fit together, almost like a jigsaw puzzle so it interlocks,” instead of using harmful chemical glues.

People serious about their athletic shoe game can get the limited editions for $230, or the regular edition for $185.

Now, for those of you who may not fully comprehend the magnitude of the Air Jordan brand, Fortune breaks it down:

“Air Jordans have transformed the business of athletic shoes. Hard as it is to believe now, basketball shoes were white or gray before the first black and red Air Jordans. In fact, Jordan was fined $5,000 a game by the NBA for wearing them in violation of its ‘uniformity of uniform rule.’ Later, an eye-catching edition of the Air Jordans made with black patent leather was worn with tuxedos by the R&B group Boyz II Men.”

One pair of kicks went from changing sports rules to changing fashion and style rules. Are we clear?

Nike is launching the shoes with a series of ad’s involving footage of various sports figures before they hit the big time, including Carmelo Anthony, Ray Allen and Derek Jeter. It’s actually a pretty cool ad. Watch it at the bottom of the post or on youtube.

Fortune reports the Air Jordan XXII will launch nationwide next month during the N.B.A All-Star game. Quite fitting!