***Official Air Jordan XX3 Summary Post***

[ijapino]

[color= rgb(255, 0, 0)]With every new post popping up, I figured it'd be best to just summarize all the importantinformation and pictures on the XX3's into one giant post. This way we can reduce some of the clutter. I will be keeping this organized as much aspossible. So if you're going to comment in this thread, please make sure it's relevant and of value to this post. Any one word comments and emoticononly responses will be deleted on site.

This is not a place to BUY/SELL/TRADE. Any comments asking to do so will be deleted on site and you may receive a suspension.

I'll try my best to include everything that we know about the XX3's....If theres anything I missed or need to add, please feel free to post it.

What started out with a simple scan posted by Litesole has steam rolled into one of the most hyped shoes in recent memory. Love them or hate them, theXX3's are here!


[/color]

AIR JORDAN XX3 Technical Components

Nike Considered:
• AIR JORDAN XX3 is the first basketball shoe in Nike's history to be designed according to Nike Considered ethos.
• The design of the AIR JORDAN XX3 minimizes waste and use of solvent based cements.
• Automotive quality painting process on the backside of the Thermo Plastic Urethane (TPU) chassis is completed by an efficient robot arm to maximize thequality, consistency and durability of the paint and component.
• Outsole uses environmentally preferred rubber that reduces toxics and incorporates Nike Grind material from footwear outsole manufacturing waste.
• The construction of the shoe emphasizes the use of environmentally preferred materials.
Upper:
• A newly engineered, patent-pending, stitching machine stitches the upper in 3-D form.
• Dual density sock liner.
• Internal dual density slow recovery foam around the heel conforms to foot shapes to create a more custom fit.
• One shot compression molded phylon midsole.
• Full length sleek internal bootie maximizes comfort while complimenting the sleek profile.
• Nu-foam collar/tongue lining package for sleek low profile comfort.
• New quilted pattern molded sock liner that provides quality arch support.provides quality arch support.
• Reinforced quarter panels to form and hold the exact shape of the last to provide the best fit possible.
• Breathable tongue allows air to escape helping to keep the foot cooler.
• The upper is bladder pressed on the last two times during the construction to form the upper shape exactly to the last shape.

Midsole / Outsole:
• Full length Zoom Airsole unit for superior cushioning.
• Carbon fiber/acrylic weave shank plate adds structure and support in key areas.
• High performance TPU chassis built for stability and support.
• Light weight - 15 ounces.
• One of the lowest midsole profile thickness made for a basketball shoe (19mms in the heel and 9mms in the forefoot) allowing for players to be as close tothe ground as possible and feel the court.
• The shank plate is inserted into the TPU chassis mold and the TPU is directly shot over the entire plate. This process is the most efficient for productionbecause it enhances durability, reduces waste, and minimizes our solvent cement usage. It is a new innovation for performance footwear.
• Advanced cushioning system contains a low profile IPS system with a large pillar in the heel combined with a low profile modified IPS in the forefoot.

AIR JORDAN XX3 Unique Design Features:
• An imprint of Michael Jordan's finger print traction pattern on outsole.
• Precise stitching to reveal external heel moccasin stitch.
• Michael Jordan signature on toe cap.
• High performance TPU chassis.
• Michael Jordan thumbprint on back of tongue lining.
• Handcrafted MJ stitch pattern offers beautiful detailing and function.


01/25/2008 Air Jordan XX3
318474-151 White/Titanium-University Blue
$230
*Limited Release to Top 23 Nike/Jordan stores

From Steez:

Here's the official production numbers for the 1st Colorway XX3:

As we've all heard before, 23 doors will carry the shoes in the US.

I've confirmed there will only be 23 pairs per store. 529 pairs available total in the US.

Here's the stitch:

There will also be another 529 pairs available for the rest of the world (outside of the US).

Total 1st Colorway XX3 Production Number = 1058 Pairs Worldwide

This makes it one of the rarest production numbers for an Air Jordan model. The Olympic VI in comparison were batched around 3000 pairs. So unless you're camped out for these, you're going to have a hell of a time getting a pair.

Good luck with your tents.
[color= rgb(255, 0, 0)]From ooIRON MANoo:
[/color]

Just got the memo today. Niketowns WILL get these. Only the following four: NTNY, NTSF, NTLA and NT Chicago.


List of stores fromJumpman23.comedited)

House of Hoops 268 West 125Th New York, NY 10027
Footlocker 43-45 West 34th Street New York, NY 10001
Champs 5 Times square New York, NY 10036
Footaction 430 &th Ave New York, NY 10001
Finishline Fox hills Mall, 167 Fox Hills Mall, Culver City, CA 90230
Kicks Galleria Mall, 5135 W Alabama #60106 Houston, TX 77056
The Shoe Gallery 244 NE 1st Ave Miami, FL 33132
Millennium Shoes 1810 W. Slauson Ave Los Angeles, CA 90047
Walter's 66 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Sheikh 1831 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Undefeated 112 1/2 S La Brea Ave, Los Angelas, CA 90036
Sneakervilla 4 South 52nd St, Philly, PA 19139
Expressions 486 Washington Street, Boston, MA 2111
NBA Store 666 5th Ave, New York, NY 10103
Downtown Locker Room Columbia Mall 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, MD 21044
Moe's 89-02 165th Street Jamaica, NY 11432
Jimmy Jazz 224 E Fordham Rd Bronx, NY 10458
NikeTown SF 278 Post Street San Francisco, CA 94108
NikeTown LA 9560 Willshire Blvd #102 Los Angeles, CA 90212
NikeTown Chi 669 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
NikeTown NY 6 East 57th Street New York, NY 10022
R Sole 6662 Delmar University City, MO 63130

Probable Size Run for each store:

7/1
7.5/1
8/1
8.5/1
9/2
9.5/3
10/3
10.5/3
11/3
11.5/2
12/2
13/1

02/16/2008 Air Jordan XX3
318376-101 White/Black-VarsityRed
$185
*Limited Release

02/23/2008 Air Jordan XX3
318376-001 Black/Varsity Red-Stealth
$185

Pics courtesy of Air Randy:


04/05/2008 Air Jordan XX3
318376-102 White/Stealth/Black
$185



Posted by MerkurPosite:

JULY/AUGUST 2008
Air Jordan XX3
318376-161 White/Varsity Red-Metallic Silver
$185

Jordan XX3 Low
White/Midnight Navy-Metallic Silver

images via kenlu:

AJ XX3 Low
Black/Metallic Gold

Pics courtesy of Sneakerfiles:

Posted by REDBRIM...

Here's a rendering done by NT'er vocaldigital23 of the original scanned image of the XX3:

Prototypes/Samples:

Articles/Press Release for the XX3's:

Air Jordan XX3 were unveiled

Nike set to release 23rd AirJordan

Jordan Brand Launches the AIR JORDAN XX3: Celebrating 23 Years of a Legacy

XX3 ad campaign to begin Jan. 14th by blco02

The intro spot, which highlights the performance aspect of the shoe, features a voiceover by Jordan as shots of him and other members of Team Jordan are seen playing basketball as kids and as pros, including Ray Allen, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul. "It's not about the shoes, it's about what you do in them," offers Jordan in the spot. "Work before glory. Doing what they say you can't do. Not breaking when they say you are broken."

The three other spots, all of which will run in 30- and 60-second versions, follow similar themes. TV will run on ABC, ESPN, TNT and CBS during high-profile sports events such as the NFL playoffs, the NBA all-star game and playoffs, and the NCAA men's basketball "March Madness."
The campaign, "Become legendary," via Wieden + Kennedy, Portland, Ore., is anchored by four TV spots, the first of which will break Jan. 14. Support will include Internet, POP and experiential marketing, but no print.

A funny quote by Tinker :"We pissed off a lot of people at the factory because this wasn't business as usual," said Tinker Hatfield, Nike's vp-innovation design and special projects. "Within six months, you'll see other [basketball shoe] companies following our lead." The AJXX3 uses a minimal amount of adhesives and glues that are considered environmentally unfriendly, instead relying on an innovative system of interlocking panels, which meant designing new machines to produce the product.

Here is the official press release from Nike on the XX3's-also, head over to NikeBiz.com for tons of info on the shoe and marketing campaign- there are pics and a video with MJ, Tinker, and Mark Smith.


BEAVERTON, Ore., Jan 08, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Today, Jordan Brand, a division of NIKE, Inc., announced the launch of the long-awaited, 23rd iteration of the world's most respected and innovative basketball shoe franchise, the AIR JORDAN XX3. The AIR JORDAN XX3 celebrates 23 years of a legacy started by the most revered basketball athlete in history...Michael Jordan.

"The AIR JORDAN XX3 is deeply meaningful to me, as a celebration of both my life and career. The number 23 is obviously of great significance to me and the release of the XX3 is a pinnacle moment in the Brand's history," said Michael Jordan. "I'm honored and humbled by the AIR JORDAN franchise's loyal following after all these years. The release of this shoe is exciting and a dream come true for me."

Michael Jordan and legendary shoe designer, Tinker Hatfield, Nike's Vice President of Innovation Design & Special Projects, collaborated on the innovative design behind the handcrafted AIR JORDAN XX3 and in the process created the first basketball shoe in Nike history to embrace the Nike Considered design ethos, where details in the development and design of the shoe seek to reduce waste and allow for the use of environmentally preferred materials wherever possible--all without compromising athletic performance.

"Our goal was to make the AIR JORDAN XX3 the best basketball shoe ever, both in performance and sustainability. The handcraftsmanship and innovation built into this shoe is simply unmatched," said Hatfield. "By infusing the ultimate in technology, setting a new trend in style and designing a shoe with the environment in mind, we hope these ingredients will cause people to say this is one of their favorite AIR JORDAN's ever."

The first AIR JORDAN was released in 1985 to great acclaim during Michael Jordan's rookie basketball season and instantly became the industry's best selling basketball shoe. Over the next 22 years, the AIR JORDAN has been one of the world's most recognizable franchises known for its signature Jumpman logo, innovative technology in basketball and forward thinking fashion.

The AIR JORDAN XX3 continues the successful tradition by providing fans with a beautiful performance product that is lightweight, low to the ground, breathable, and maximizes comfort. A newly engineered, patent-pending, stitching machine delivers intricate detailing in the upper portion of the shoe. The low midsole profile allows players to be as close to the ground as possible and feel the court. Unique design cues such as the imprint of Michael Jordan's fingerprint serving as the traction pattern on the outsole and his thumbprint on the back of the tongue lining bring to life the man that makes the franchise so special.

"For twenty-two years, the Jordan Brand has set the standard for athletic luxury and the AIR JORDAN XX3 is no different," explains Howard White, Vice President, Jordan Brand. "We at Jordan Brand continue to push the envelope by incorporating unique design cues created by the most talented people in the footwear industry while in turn providing our fans with the best basketball shoe inspired by the best basketball player ever. It's the perfect complement."

Jordan Brand is set to launch several colorways of the AIR JORDAN XX3. An exclusive limited release will launch on Friday, January 25,2008 with a suggested retail price of $230. An All-Star release will launch on Saturday, February 16, 2008 and the nationwide launch will be released on Saturday, February 23, 2008 both with a suggested retail price of $185. Retailer information can be found at www.Jumpman23.com.

About Jordan Brand

A division of NIKE, Inc., Jordan Brand is a premium brand of footwear, apparel and accessories inspired by the dynamic legacy, vision and direct involvement of Michael Jordan. The Jordan Brand made its debut in 1997 and has grown into a complete collection of performance and lifestyle products for both men and women. The Jordan Brand remains active in the community by donating a portion of its proceeds to Jordan Fundamentals, an education grants program for teachers.

For more information on Jordan Brand, visit www.Jumpman23.com.

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS: THERE IS[color= rgb(255, 0, 0)]ABSOLUTELY NO BUYING/SELLING/TRADING[/color] WITHIN THIS POST! THIS INCLUDES ANY REQUESTS TOHAVE OTHERS HOLD PAIRS FOR YOU! PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO DISGUISE YOUR ATTEMPTS BY RE-DIRECTING MEMBERS TO YOUR SIG B/S POST OR AUCTION. VIOLATORS WILL BE SUSPENDED OR BANNED!

 

[lstepcorrect81]

thanks ijapino i was gettin tired of searching through all of the other XX3 threads



so anyway, i thought there were going to be two limited colorways of the XX3???

 

[ajz44unc]

^^ from what I've heard at work there will be - obviously the first color (Carolina) will be super limited with 1058 pairs made total and it being onlyavailable at the top 23 selling stores.....I also heard and read in the post that the White/Black/Red Colorway will be 'limited' to a certain extent -my guess being comparable to the 'limited' Flip 3's

 

[mazedowner]

First and foremost, ijapino great idea.

Originally Posted by LStepCorrect81

thanks ijapino i was gettin tired of searching through all of the other XX3 threads



so anyway, i thought there were going to be two limited colorways of the XX3???

^Yes, the All-Stars. See below.

Via: KixandtheCity.com

Continuing our coverage of the Air Jordan XX3 Press Conference, we take a close look at the Limited All-Star White/Black/Red "All-Star" colorway ofthe Air Jordan XX3. During the Air Jordan XX3 Press Conference Tinker Hatfield spoke on Michael Jordan's involvement within the design process of the XX3.Tinker noted that although Michael does not spend as much physical time with Tinker as he used to, MJ's experience, knowledge, and wisdom have grownexponentially over the years and the time that he does spend with Tinker is much more poignant. With this being said, Tinker explained that Michael Jordanspent the most time with White/Black/Red colorway of the Air Jordan XX3 and that the color blocking and color choice were Michael's.

The White/Black/Red Air Jordan XX3 features the most obvious "MJ" initial print with its Black M, Red J stitching on the side. This upper panel sitson a Black TPU midsole and a Grey Thumbprint outsole. The toebox and tongue feature White Patent Leather, and the toe cap, features a Red hit with MichaelJordan's signature.

Like the ["Titanium Blue" Air Jordan XX3], the White/Black/Red "All-Star" Air Jordan XX3 is considered a pre-release of the Air JordanXX3, with the Black/Red Air Jordan XX3 being the actual full release. As such, the White/Black/Red Air Jordan XX3 will be a limited release coinciding with theNBA All-Star Game in New Orleans.

Also, I'll add this on the Press Conference/Titanium Blues

Again, Via: KixandtheCity.com

Today, Jordan Brand officially unveiled the upcoming Air Jordan XX3 in front of a small gathering of invited press. Jordan Brand's Director of Footwear,Gentry Humphrey, legendary footwear designer Tinker Hatfield, Director of Corporate Responsibility Hannah Jones, and Jordan Brand Marketing's Roman Vega,were all on hand to take the audience through the entire story of the Air Jordan XX3. From conception, to design, to production, to release, to media, toeverything in between, the Air Jordan XX3 Press Conference provided a total and complete look at the Michael Jordan's 23rd signature sneaker.

To start our extensive coverage of the event, we take a look at the first colorway of the Air Jordan XX3 set to release, the "Titanium Blue" AirJordan XX3. Set to release 23 days before the limited "All-Star" colorway, the "Titanium Blue" Air Jordan XX3 will be released to the Top23 Jordan Brand Accounts in the US in an amount of 23 pairs per store.

Like all of the Air Jordan XX3 colorways, the "Titanium Blue" Air Jordan XX3 is a Nike Considered product designed, by Tinker Hatfield, to minimizewaste, minimize the use of harmful materials, allow recycling, minimize the use of uneccessary materials, and provide for a more environmentally friendly pieceof footwear. The Air Jordan XX3 is considered a turning point within Nike's/Jordan Brand's focus as the sneaker is set to officially begin Nike'spush to have all their footwear be Considered by the year 2020.

Each of the Air Jordan XX3s features a different outer stitching that not only ties back as an aesthetic cue to MJ's love for the finer things in life, butalso serves a functional stitch designed to hold the upper together. The outer stitching on all Air Jordan XX3s features the "MJ" initials. NikeDesigner Mark Smith designed the outer stitching on each of the Air Jordan XX3s except for the "Black/Red" Air Jordan XX3, which was designed byTinker Hatfield.

Enjoy.

MaZe

 

[rockdeep]

Man...for all the folks who DON"T get this Carolina Colorway... Just know you will have some better colors to choose from. Trust me. And you won'thave to worry about finding a store that has ONE shoe in your size.



Patience....



Patience...

 

[heat23]

ijap, I was wondering why there was so many locked thread.

This is a great idea and look forward on contributing to this great post.

 

[sohi 23]

Great job on the post ijapino, can't wait to play some ball in these and the Kobe IIIs

 

[allthingsjordan]

Finally just one post for the XX3's....

I can't believe so many are already trying to start the XX4 posts already...

 

[betolz]

Thanks for organizing everything.

I wonder if variant manufacturers are having a hard time counterfeiting these because of the "considered" aspect.

Man...for all the folks who DON"T get this Carolina Colorway... Just know you will have some better colors to choose from. Trust me. And you won't have to worry about finding a store that has ONE shoe in your size.

Are you saying that, other than what's been posted, there will be other colorways released? Regionals?

I feel the color blocking could be better on some of these and really bring out the looks of the shoe.

 

[thekillerj23]

nice idea to put everything together

 

[jordan kingxi]

San Francisco has the # 1 account out of all the Niketown in the US.



Not too many West Coast stores will get them. Most accounts getting 23 pairs are in the east coast.

 

[playmaker09]

Thank you for putting everything together. This makes it so much better.

 

[vocaldigital23]

Ahhhh. Thank you Ijapino! Feels like I just took about 5 trashbags of junk out of my closet and reorganized it. LOL.

Rooock? Roooooock???! Don't be holdin' out on us man. We don't need another EKIN up in here. ha ha

 

[dmxgod]

Let the campouts begin..i have amazed at how much positive response that this shoe has garnered since the release of the new photos..i will do my best to get apair of the titanium blue colorway..we'll see though..i am definitely goin to cop the first nationwide releases..



Love the shoe more and more..

 

[late registrant]

Originally Posted by RockDeep

Man...for all the folks who DON"T get this Carolina Colorway... Just know you will have some better colors to choose from. Trust me. And you won't have to worry about finding a store that has ONE shoe in your size.



Patience....



Patience...

More, better colors?? I'll keep my mind open and withhold my opinion.

 

[sick90teg4dr]

Man Im glad to see that NT Chicago is gonna be gettin these, I wonder if I can save up enough money in time to get my camp-out on. I hope I can get offwork....

 

[airuphere23]

Great idea ijapino, as this is a resourceful way to end the unnecessary clutter of all of the XX3 posts. Overall, I'm not a big fan of the XX3's froman aesthectic standpoint. Having said that, I do anticipate this shoe to have wonderful comfort, performance, and dare I say....quality.

I'll add theblack colorway and those white and red XX3's in to my collection. I need some new technology to ball in.

 

[d e beatup]

Originally Posted by RockDeep

Man...for all the folks who DON"T get this Carolina Colorway... Just know you will have some better colors to choose from. Trust me. And you won't have to worry about finding a store that has ONE shoe in your size.



Patience....



Patience...

I'm more concerned with the stitching pattern used than the colorways, lol. I guess that explains whyLitesole's scan looks the way it does because it definitely wasn't the Stealth ones that were photocopied.

EDIT: I'm holding out & hoping that there will be a GR White/Red colorway dropping, since we did get thisprototype pic

Also, let's not forget that one of the earliest "super-fakes" that was posted was of a white/red colorwaywith red argyle stitching...

 

[east99]

the pictures that sneakerheadnews.com have of the Limited All-Star White/Black/Red "All-Star" and the "Black/Varsity Red-Stealth " makethose two look that much better. i'm coppin them for sure!

 

[impalaballa187]

So anyone have a solid list of the top 23 stores yet? I'm hoping 3 or 4 are in NY

.

 

[BANLEU]

here is an interesting article I just read on yahoo about the XX3. It restates a lot of what we already know but I thought it had some good extra stuff.

[table][tr][td] [h1][/h1]

[h1]Nike to release 23rd Air Jordan; he's not saying whether it will be the last[/h1] [table][tr][td][/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Nike to release 23rd Air Jordan; he's not saying whether it will be the last
[/td] [/tr][tr][td][/td] [/tr][/table][table][tr][td] By SARAH SKIDMORE, Associated Press Writer
January 8, 2008
BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) -- It's gotta be the shoes, right?

No other basketball shoe has changed the face of business, athletics and marketing like the Air Jordan. This month, Nike releases the 23rd edition, and it is expected to be just as venerated as its predecessors.

The sleek design and link to Michael Jordan's jersey number make it a touchstone in the line. It's also Nike's first basketball shoe designed under its "Considered" ethos, which aims to reduce waste and use environmentally friendly materials wherever possible.

The Air Jordan XX3 will be released in three hyped-up rounds from January to February, starting with a limited edition to be sent to only 23 retailers to be sold for $230 and concluding with the national launch at $185.

There had been talk at Nike about retiring the shoe at No. 23, because of his iconic jersey number. But company officials won't say whether this will be the last of the line. Neither will Jordan.

"You'll just have to wait and see," Jordan said in an e-mail to The Associated Press, responding to questions about the upcoming release.

Before launching the first shoe in 1985, Nike had just signed Jordan for $2.5 million over five years. Nike won't say what Jordan's current contract with the company is worth.

Jordan's deal with Nike opened the door for sneaker manufacturers to chase after athletes, signing them up -- sometimes just out of high school-- for multimillion-dollar contracts in hopes of being able to cash in on the next superstar. It sent sneaker prices to new heights, which has since generated a backlash against selling pricey shoes to basketball-loving kids.

"The Air Jordan franchise created the most coveted basketball footwear in the world and changed the basketball landscape forever," said Nike Brand President Charlie Denson.

Unlike most basketball shoes to date, which were often white and utilitarian, the Air Jordan was a shock of black and red. It was initially banned by the NBA for not conforming with other players' shoes.

Jordan continued to wear them and was fined $5,000 a game, which Nike paid.

"Nobody expected the mass hysteria created by its release," Jordan, who has been a part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats since 2006, said in his e-mail to The AP.

A new edition was launched each year, and release dates had to be moved to the weekends to keep kids from skipping school to get a pair.

The frenzy got dangerous. People were mugged and even killed for the shoes.

The Air Jordans helped spawn a subculture of collectors, who line up at stores to buy the shoe's latest edition.

Jordan said he never expected that the shoe would become an icon.

"Like every kid growing up, I dreamed of making winning shots at the buzzer and I was fortunate to live out that dream, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever entertain the idea of the success of the Air Jordan franchise," he said.

The Air Jordans moved basketball shoes from true high-tops or low-tops to a middle range and used unheard of styles, such as patent leather toes and elephant print.

As Jordan's success grew on the courts, so did Nike's in the shoe industry.

People from the streets to the suburbs were wearing $100-plus basketball shoes, which was unheard of at the time.

That price is the norm today, but it has launched a backlash, such as the partnership between New York Knicks player Stephon Marbury and the Steve & Barry's store chain to sell basketball shoes for $14.98 -- a direct stab at pricey sneakers like Air Jordans.

At that time, the Air Jordan captured a mix of design, marketing, athleticism and player charisma that hadn't been seen before in the industry -- everyone wanted to "Be Like Mike."

"Athletes had been endorsing products for years prior to this," said Tinker Hatfield, Nike's Vice President of Innovation Design and Special Projects.

"But they were just signing their name to the shoe. I think there was a very understandable difference...Michael's personality and even the changes in the game and inspiration from other walks of life were all sort of being designed into this product and that made it more interesting."

Jordan and Hatfield work together on the design and function on many of the Air Jordan shoes. Jordan has final say on design matters.

Air Jordan was the lightning in the bottle that every company hopes for.

Advertising images of Jordan soaring across the sky were ubiquitous. Spike Lee could be heard hollering "It's gotta be the shoes" on television. And Jordan's outstretched arms with the swoosh nearby adorned walls across the country.

Nike quickly moved from a running company and newcomer to the basketball category to the market leader. Some industry estimates put Nike's current share of the basketball shoe market at about 85 percent. Far behind are Adidas and Reebok.

The idea of adding such unusual style to a product or so closely aligning with a personality was novel at the time, but it paid off.

Other companies tried to follow suit but it was like trying to come up with the next Harry Potter or iPhone for basketball.

The relationship completely changed the idea of sports marketing. Companies now make athlete sponsorships the centerpiece of their business, spending millions signing them and designing product lines and marketing platforms around them.

Jordan's original deal seems like a pittance compared to multimillion-dollar contracts inked these days, such as Nike's $90 million agreement with LeBron James.

"The beginning of the Jordan era marked a new and more sophisticated approach to leveraging an athlete," said Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon.

Like any bet, athletic companies take their risks -- some pay off, like Tiger Woods or LeBron James. But some don't, a la Michael Vick. Nike terminated its contract with Vick last August after his plea agreement on dogfighting charges.

Jordan was spun off into its own division in 1997, a move that some high up in Nike questioned when Jordan retired.

But the business is a key component, with new players signing on under the brand. Nike has spun that Jordan swagger into performance and luxury apparel for men and woman.

The Air Jordan remains the pinnacle piece for shoe collectors. The original Air Jordan 1 can sell for thousands of dollars, depending on various factors.

Jordan said: "It blows my mind that even after five years removed from the game the shoe would be stronger than ever and I would still be greeted by fans as if I had just won a championship all over again."
[/td] [/tr][/table]

[/td] [/tr][/table]

 

[kobekid24]

 

[irvking]

[color= rgb(204, 0, 0)]Those Pics Are Simply Amazing,

Oh Yeah The Air Jordan 3,4,5, and 6's From The Countdown Packages Won't Have The Nike Air Logo[/color].

 

[neimaj]

I still hate the shoe. I do love the Considered aspect though, just not enough to shell out $185. That poster of the JB team is GANGSTA!!! My man Raysittin' in the corner, looking like he just off'ed somebody....LOL!!! Tinker's sketches are from 05'..hmmm....LMAO @ Tinker clearing his nameof that ridiculous "All-star" colorway...MJ Picked the color blocking, and Mark Smith designed the pattern.

 

[mazedowner]

Here is some more info/pics for ya'll.

Via: KixandtheCity.com

After the releasing the limited ["TitaniumBlue" Air Jordan XX3] and the [limited (not as limited as the "TBs") "All-Star" Air Jordan XX3], Jordan Brand will release the first General Release AirJordan XX3, the Black/Red/Stealth Air Jordan XX3. The Black/Red/Stealth or "Stealth" Air Jordan XX3 is the first out of the initial release trio tobe completely designed by Tinker Hatfield. The first two releases feature an outer stitching pattern designed by Mark Smith.

The Argyle MJ stitching on the outer of the "Stealth" XX3 is inspired by Michael Jordan's luxurious taste. According to Tinker, whileaccompanying Michael on a trip through the shopping meccas of Europe (Milan, Paris, London, etc.), Michael consistently purchased the most exquisite goods.From a pair of handcrafted dress shoes, to a handcrafted cigar box, to the handcrafted leather interior of his newly purchased Ferrari, MJ sought for only thebest. Based on this trip with Michael, Tinker felt the need to infuse this feeling of luxury into the Air Jordan XX3. The Argyle MJ pattern is a representationof passing this feeling of luxury onto the consumer.

In addition to the Argyle MJ pattern, the luxury of the Air Jordan XX3 is retained through the shape of the outsole of Air Jordan XX3 which is inspired by theshape normally found on high end dress shoes. For the first time ever, Nike/Jordan Brand utilized an air bladder pressing method that molds the outsole into amore foot conforming shape. The curvature of the outsole, along with the carbon fiber midsole plate, provides for a more comfortable yet stable experience.

MaZe