Can Michael Jordan help stop the violence caused by fighting over his shoes?

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You’ve probably forgotten the name Michael Eugene Thomas.
Thomas, a freshman at Maryland’s Meade Senior HS in Maryland in 1989, was found dead in May of that year, strangled by a so-called friend who left Thomas’ barefooted body in the woods after stealing his two-week old Air Jordans.
“We told him not to wear the shoes to school,” Thomas’ grandmother told Sports Illustrated for a 1990 cover story on the growing risk kids faced in wearing Air Jordans and team apparel. “We said somebody might like them, and he said, ‘Granny, before I let anyone take those shoes, they’ll have to kill me.’”
For a $115.50 pair of shoes, Thomas paid a much steeper price.
Fast-forward to the last weeks of 2013 and Air Jordans are still hot sellers. In recent years, Jordan Brand has made a calculated decision to release retro Jordans at the peak of the holiday season, and if you think the videos of crazed shoppers rushing into Wal-Mart and Target on Black Friday are wild, you should check out the videos from the latest Jordan release.

From California to Texas to the Bronx, shoppers punched, kicked and beat their fellow customers to try to get their hands on a pair of $170 Air Jordan XI Gamma Blues.
One video shows a shirtless young man being beaten by another shopper at Weberstown Mall in Stockton, Calif., with screams from other shoppers acting as the soundtrack to the Instagram clip. With the shirtless man on the ground, the other shopper wails on him before fleeing. Another video, outside a Foot Locker in the Bronx, shows two girls fighting outside the store as the crowd cheers.
Thankfully, nobody died for their Jordans last weekend — and the vast majority of people wait in line to buy their kicks without feeling compelled to kick the other shoppers — but last year Joshua Woods, 22, was shot and killed after he bought a pair at a Houston mall.
Jordan has taken hits for the mania his shoes create — and for the working conditions at the factories where his shoes are made — but nothing sticks to the Greatest of All Time, who, according to Forbes, makes roughly $80 million a year with most of that dough coming from Jordan Brand sales.
Still, that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t do something about it.

Jordan undoubtedly wields incredible power within Nike, and if he said he was tired of seeing his namesake on the nightly news over video of brawls at malls across the country, the sneaker giant would certainly accommodate him.
So how’s this for a novel idea: Only sell retro Jordans online.
We asked a Jordan Brand rep on Monday if they’ve entertained the idea of changing their sales strategy, and, specifically, if they’ve talked about selling the shoes exclusively over the Internet in an effort to curb the violence that comes with each release.
“Consumer safety is of paramount important to us. We continue to work with our retail partners to share best practices and refine our launch process to improve the buying experience for our consumers. We encourage people wishing to purchase our products to do so in a respectful manner,” the rep said in an email that fell short of answering the initial question (a follow-up was met with a response referring me back to the initial statement, read: get lost).
It seems that until MJ decides to say something, riots and Air Jordan releases are a holiday tradition that’s here to stay.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...stop-violence-article-1.1560400#ixzz2oorF0lcO
 
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Somebody tell Bernie Augustine that online releases won't work either...Bots...

Store raffles?...Shady employees...

Twitter RSVP?...Shady employees + Bots...

But this is really off topic...



Ready for the source of the problem...Nike...Period...

On subject of something being done...Nike has tried different things lets put that out there first...They let it get too far out of control before they decided to react...Their answers to the problem with online only releases, twitter RSVP's, store raffles were all done out of reaction rather than preventive action but I'll get more into this in a minute...



First a little about this mess and where it started...

Want to know when this got out of hand...The creation of eBay...Way back in 1996 into 1997...Somebody over at Nike saw auctions where cats were selling vintage Air Jordan sneakers for big money and decided ~Hey, lets give that whole retro idea another shot~...Sure it failed them once but obviously the market was ready...Reselling got so big so fast that it just kept pushing Nike's bottom line higher and higher...Reselling put them in the position they hold today where their Jordan line is the life blood of the company to the sum of 1 Billion + annually...They've maintained that position with limited releases, celebrity collaborations, even PE releases of >100 pairs in stores created for the simple purposes to generate hype (HOH) via said releases...



Moving on...

Ask yourself this...If Nike gave a damn about kids getting killed and beat up over the shoes then why did they wait until the late 00's to start doing anything to stop it?...Like I said earlier it's been an issue for decades, nowhere near the extent it is now granted, but it's always been there...They waited over a decade after they had started this little retro project to even attempt to do anything to curb the problems with violence...Why?...Because in an age where information is available 24/7 to everyone and that information can be shared at the touch of phone screen, the problem they created and ignored, was becoming ever more visible...National news networks started picking up on the stories of John Doe getting shot for sneakers that he'd just purchased...Sneakers they'd made ultra limited to generate hype (READ: Sells)...Sells of all their product and not just this particular item...So picking up from my earlier statement...Nike REACTED to this by throwing half hearted attempts at the problem to show their customers that they were trying their best to put and end to this madness...Average Nike customer X doesn't realize that It's Nike that started the mess in the first place...



We're in a capitalist society and just like any other big corporation Nike is constantly looking to capitalize on the market...A market that's at an all time high...

So getting back to the article...Does anybody reading this honestly believe that even if Michal Jordan himself, approached Nike and asked them to stop the madness that they actually would?

Now to answer the question that Mr. Augustine set forth in his article...No they wouldn't do anything even if MJ asked them...They don't want to because it would ultimately take money from their pockets...But hypothetically speaking, if they did want to do something about it, at this point they wouldn't be able to...The hype has far surpassed their ability to produce enough product to satisfy all their customers...500,000+ "Gamma" XI's released and still people had issues...The problem is beyond fixing and until the bubble bursts it's just par for the course...
 
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This has been one of the best threads I have read in here in a while, with good points an views, I would love to see nike an job find a way to handle these releases in a more humane way, having People bum rush malls and run across parking lot trampling each other just to have a chance to spend money on a shoe, I always loved jays since a kid, but what this has become now is madness,from shady raffles to campouts for hours, bots etc.. I would love to see some change to avoid people being hurt over shoes, but it seems hype drive consumerism, so I don't see nike slowing down anytime soon, do I think if mj himself asked to stop the violence or come up with a better system this would end all problems, no..but it would help, instead of adding to the madness... Let's start by not hyping the product, an then release it I ltd quantities.
 
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Regardless of how the shoes are released, people who wear them will be a target for knuckleheads. Also, the kids starting all the violence don't even know who Jordan is. They were born after he retired. They don't respect the game, the player, or anything. It's a shame.
 
Nike only listens to its stockholders. If we were to put in any real input, we would have to buy up the majority of the stocks.
 
It's not nikes fault people act like savages when their not able to get something they want. Its alot of things in this world I would like to have but can't get. I'm not going to throw a tantrum and act violent because of it because I'm a civilized person.

Throw the idiots that act up and start problems at releases in jail. Problem solved. Have some type of police presence at these releases, not some rent a cop security guard with no real authority. Hold people accountable for their actions.
 
Nike/Jordan Brand is at the point where they could produce 1 million pairs and sell 1 million pairs of any Jordan retro. But they won't produce 1 million pairs because that takes away from the "mystique" of the shoes. People enjoy having what others don't have. It's the sad truth. Nike can't control how people behave when they put a product on the market. People have to realize that it's just a pair of shoes. Nike can't control if people act like savage animals on release day. It's not their fault that sneakerhead x wants 1 pair to rock, 1 pair to stock, 1 pair to trade, and 1 pair to wipe his behind with. It's not their fault that people pay an arm and a leg to resellers. At the end of the day those people made the decision to behave like they do.

So to answer the original question: No. There is nothing Jordan or Nike can do to stop the madness over sneakers. Unless they plan on producing millions of pairs there is nothing they can do. And since they're profiting from the violence why would they want to stop it? Violence or not people will still line up for the next release.
 
Nike needs to implement CAPTCHA for these bots.

Shoes selling out before they're released online to the general public is probably a bigger deal to Nike than poor folks killing for shoes.
 
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Interesting discussion, but the violence won't stop as long as the supply is less than the demand. Even if releases are online only, it doesn't prevent people from getting mugged for them when wearing the shoes. Nike won't fulfill the demand because the hype is what keeps people hunting for releases every week. Bottom line, as long as they make their money they don't care if people get hurt or worse.
 
It's not nikes fault people act like savages when their not able to get something they want. Its alot of things in this world I would like to have but can't get. I'm not going to throw a tantrum and act violent because of it because I'm a civilized person.

Throw the idiots that act up and start problems at releases in jail. Problem solved. Have some type of police presence at these releases, not some rent a cop security guard with no real authority. Hold people accountable for their actions.
Stop putting the blame on Nike. It's not their fault people don't know how to act. Their job is to produce and sell shoes.

Agreed 100%.

Why is it that Americans are so quick to want to blame something specific rather than looking at the big picture?

So what people in here are saying is that Nike is responsible for the way people act..? How crazy does that sound? Nike is not obligated to change anything if they don't want to.. That's like you saying that vehicle manufacturers are responsible for all the people that die on a daily basis due to driver error..

Is it sad that people are getting killed, robbed and there is so much violence over sneakers? Yes. Is it Nike's fault? No.
 
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All of these are great points but the hype will only get greater. Just look at this forum, I remember what it used to be like on here and now you go look at a thread for a pair of retros 12hrs before the release and it moves 10+ pages an hour with more guests than members. I think JB should put less effort and resources into the crappy new JB 'team' releases and the CP3's and Melos that no one seems to want (even though the kids know and watch these players) and make more retros available but we all know that's not going to happen anytime soon. I am however glad that there is intelligent discussion being had here.
 
People want what they can't have.  That's always been the oldest adage in life.  And when they see someone with something they want, unfortunately, it's when the savage mentality floats to surface.  It's been that way since the dawn of time, and will continue until the end of humanity.  But, now with a stagnant job market, and economy, people have turned to the sneaker game to try and offer their  financial means.  Most of the nonsense caused during sneaker lines, and releases is due to resellers.  I've been on a few lines, and people who actually want to wear the shoes are trying to keep civilized, but the resellers are starting drama and BS because this is their primary financial gain.  So, now coupled with people still robbing, stealing, and killing for $175 sneakers, now with a with a weak economy to boot, things are very rough for the "true collectors."  Nike isn't off the hook completely though.  With everything becoming more and more "limited," the serious savage comes out, because supply & demand will + huge financial gain.  And like someone above me said, Nike has tried to implement different methods to quell the madness, but like all good intended methods, there's always a negative loophole, or discrepancy.  Store workers are shady, and some are arrogant elitists who feel you should brown nose to spend your hard earned money, even though it's also to help their friends and family cop first.  Twitter RSVP, from what I heard is sketchy at best, so "X" that out also.  As with everything else, it has to get worse, before it's better.  But, hopefully, it'll never escalate to unimaginable methods to the madness.
 
Don't blame the player blame the game! People will fight over free ANYTHING,Let alone $180 
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TICKLE ME ELMO had GROWN MEN AND WOMEN fighting AND crying like children!


You guys should compare this to the medical marijuana subject..

Do you make it widely available and force the demand to drop? Keep it limited, prices skyrocket, violence ensues?

Sure if they are available everyone wouldnt be fighting but prices would drop & your grails wouldnt be worth nothing

Nike considering cuttin profit? YEA OK! 
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Its bouta be 2014...when Ol Man Jordan's liver gives out....300+ For Retro's in OG COLORWAYS

I say no more raffles...Let us duke it out, keep Retro prices right
Its easier to get a rent-a-car then a pair of shoes 
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 Gotta bring Birth certificate, SS card, Green card, just to get a TICKET?? PHHHSSSHHH....
 
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The hype is what people make it to be.

Its not like we're in a food shortage or a drought and a few resellers are hoarding the limited amounts of food and water. Things people need to survive.

These are shoes and you have many other shoe choices to choose from and unless your a total herb the man makes the shoe, the shoe don't make the man. And if your a herb, you could have every limited shoe out and still be a clown.

Your not going to get everything you want in life. That should be a life lesson for people. Girls are going to reject you, your going to get declined for jobs you apply for, things are going to be out your price range. Are you going to throw a tantrum and act like a savage each time.

There just shoes. When people realize that this problem will stop. Unfortunately alot of people are stupid though.
 
Agreed 100%.

Why is it that Americans are so quick to want to blame something specific rather than looking at the big picture?

So what people in here are saying is that Nike is responsible for the way people act..? How crazy does that sound? Nike is not obligated to change anything if they don't want to.. That's like you saying that vehicle manufacturers are responsible for all the people that die on a daily basis due to driver error..

Is it sad that people are getting killed, robbed and there is so much violence over sneakers? Yes. Is it Nike's fault? No.
I agree that nike is not responsible for the consumers conduct but does add fuel to it, it's all about business at the end of the day, corporate competition IMO..whatever to stay on top an sell the most product.. We see what happens when you put ltd on a shoe even gr or a special addition..people get crazy, add to it price, an how hard it's becoming nowadays to obtain a pair, will cause frustration an violence, so nike is not fully the blame, an I feel no matter what u still will have few ppl getting hurt, but they can help the problem is my point, instead of dangling the carrot in front the horse, an we as consumers have a lot of this blame to take as well.. It takes 2 hands to clap.. Respect
 
let resellers sit on the shoes they intend to sell and then after a few releases where they are stuck with product they either stop doing it or bring their prices down and once that happens then you deal with the source. if retros stopped selling out instantly the quality would get better or the price would drop, simple facts but too many thirsty hypebeasts out there willing to overspend (with their parents money) on crappy retros to be "cool". so skip a few rtetros and let the collector/average joe ,who wants a pair to rock, get theirs for retail and no hassle
 
They can't really stop it, even if they made ANY Jordan orderable at any time, and any colorway ever released, there would still be people robbed for them. The people that do that type of crap still wouldn't want to pay or maybe even be able to pay to get them legally. and we all know JB would never drop the price to like 30 bucks which is still almost double what it costs to make nearly all jb shoes.
 
I find it really interesting that back in my day (80s/90s) people were killed over Jordan shoes because they were largely unaffordable for most people, so people would get mugged for them. Today people are getting killed for Jordans because they are so hard to get and people are buying multiples or paying rape prices. Its absolutely ******g amazing circumstances really. We've become a very wealthy and spoilt society.

Nike can fix this problem but the bad publicity is actually good for their hype. They could easily produce enough to satisfy the thirst, look at the absolutely **** retro+ colourways they release that sit and sit and sit then sit again in bargain bins. Producing the numbers isn't the problem, never has been. Its Nike's lack of morals that cause them to feed the hype. They aren't responsible for people's ghetto behaviour but they are responsible for not taking action, which they can easily do, just for their marketing image.

To say none of the problem out there is Nike's fault is like saying people who sit back and watch a child drown in a pool isn't their fault. Sure they didn't push the child in the pool but it is easily within their power to resolve the problem. Its a choice Nike have deliberately made to let that child drown. They deserve some of the blame.
 
 
I find it really interesting that back in my day (80s/90s) people were killed over Jordan shoes because they were largely unaffordable for most people, so people would get mugged for them. Today people are getting killed for Jordans because they are so hard to get and people are buying multiples or paying rape prices. Its absolutely ******g amazing circumstances really. We've become a very wealthy and spoilt society.

Nike can fix this problem but the bad publicity is actually good for their hype. They could easily produce enough to satisfy the thirst, look at the absolutely **** retro+ colourways they release that sit and sit and sit then sit again in bargain bins. Producing the numbers isn't the problem, never has been. Its Nike's lack of morals that cause them to feed the hype. They aren't responsible for people's ghetto behaviour but they are responsible for not taking action, which they can easily do, just for their marketing image.

To say none of the problem out there is Nike's fault is like saying people who sit back and watch a child drown in a pool isn't their fault. Sure they didn't push the child in the pool but it is easily within their power to resolve the problem. Its a choice Nike have deliberately made to let that child drown. They deserve some of the blame.
Good post, agree with most of it. 

Just curious what solutions do you have for the lowlives that are adamant about turning it up, and starting problems? We saw the FCFS fiascos, but what else can be done to stop the violence? 

Also, what else could be done to stop these computer geeks from ruining RSVPs? Or, shady employees (who certainly have a hand in this) that piss off honest consumers by sending mixed messages, lying, cheating systems. Those folks waiting in the cold have a right to be PISSED when they know they got screwed over. Lot's of blame to go around.
 
 
Good post, agree with most of it. 

Just curious what solutions do you have for the lowlives that are adamant about turning it up, and starting problems? We saw the FCFS fiascos, but what else can be done to stop the violence? 

Also, what else could be done to stop these computer geeks from ruining RSVPs? Or, shady employees (who certainly have a hand in this) that piss off honest consumers by sending mixed messages, lying, cheating systems. Those folks waiting in the cold have a right to be PISSED when they know they got screwed over. Lot's of blame to go around.
Take the supply shortage away. If enough get released then all the problems won't be needed because everyone will be easily able to get theirs. Resellers wouldn't exist, bots won't be needed, shady employees won't need to be shady. I for one would love to see resellers business get shot down by adequate supplies.

I went into a local FL on Friday just gone and asked about Bred 1 release. You could see the frustration in his face as he was describing to me the amount of people asking and the fact he had such a tiny limited supply right at xmas time when they were flat out anyway. Its simply driving everyone nuts.

They could even have a backorder system. Release an amount at once then take backorders (paid up front). Might take a while for them to produce but I'd be happy with that kind of system.
 
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