AIR JORDAN

Michael Jordan, how did the American basketball legend become the icon of sneakers?

A career in basketball

"His Airness", a nickname given to Jordan since his debut, was born on February 17, 1963 in New York City. With extraordinary physical abilities, he quickly became a key part of his high school team. These high school years are marked by a steady progression and incredible statistics giving him access to many prestigious universities. He finally decided to accept the Chapel Hill offer in North Carolina. One year before the end of his studies, Jordan ran for the NBA draft in 1884, where he was selected in third choice by the Chicago Bulls. The rest of his career is history. In 15 seasons in the NBA and despite two early retirements and a move as a Baseball player, Jordan won 6 Champions titles with the Bulls. He was named 5 times the best player of the season and is considered by the BBC as the " The greatest basketball player of all time."

First Steps in the shoes industry for the basketball King

MJ has marked his sport of his imprint as no one before him, his aura goes well beyond basketball, and even sport. His relationship with the sneakers world has been special since its inception. During his academic years, MJ played with Converses, who were very popular in the NBA at the time. The brand will even try to keep the player by offering him a contract to play in the NBA. Worried about not being able to make a real place within the brand, already largely represented by many stars of the time, such as Larry Bird, he refused this offer. In 1984, Nike makes an offer to MJ, $500,000 a year, but Jordan definitely wants to join Adidas. He decides to go and see them and proposes to align themselves with the offer Nike had made. Adidas refused, it is the beginning of the long history that binds Nike and Michael Jordan.

Air Jordan, the #1 brand of the sneakers?

This marriage between Nike and Jordan really took shape in 1985, when the first Air Jordan 1 was released, which MJ was wearing during the games. In just a month, Nike sold for more than $70 million of this pair, the saga is launched for good. Over the years, Air Jordan has taken a full place in Nike, having its own offices, designer and marketing team. Today, Air Jordan sells more than $3M a year and accounts for 8 % of the brand's revenues. There are now more than 25 models under the name Jordan, all have been sold in thousands and met with huge commercial success.