Exploring the 2016 Air Jordan 11 'Space Jam'
Who would have thought 20 years after its initial release, one of Michael Jordan's top signature shoes would still lack its original form?
The Air Jordan XI "Space Jam" makes its return on December 10, and for the first time, it's going to be a direct tribute to the original.
For Jordan Brand adherents, this release marks another chapter in the company's annual tradition of putting out unique Air Jordan XI silhouettes around the holidays.
There aren't many Jordan models as popular or iconic as the "Space Jam" XI. Let's be crystal clear about that. But why? Why does the "Space Jam" XI mark such an important chapter in MJ's signature footwear catalog?
The answer is complex.
Space Jam remains the highest-grossing basketball film of all time, raking in just under $91 million dollars domestically, according to Box Office Mojo. The feature film turned out to be a global blockbuster. It also managed to put extra eyeballs on the sneaker due to the sheer volume of people viewing it.
When Jordan first engaged in the process of making the film, he wasn't playing basketball at a professional level. By the time he was asked to act with a digitized version of Bugs Bunny, MJ was also plotting out his return trip to Chicago.
"In the middle of training for his big comeback, the world’s greatest basketball player switched between sweaty practice drills and conversations with a cartoon rabbit," Elahe Izadi explained in the Washington Post.
In fact, when MJ did return to the NBA, he actually wore a pair of the "Space Jam" XIs—designed by Tinker Hatfield—against the Orlando Magic during the 1995 postseason.
Unlike traditional Air Jordan colorways, the "Space Jam" XI wasn't rolled out right away after people saw it in action.
Legendary Jordan collector Mark "Jumpman" Bostic pointed out how this particular variant first hit retailers in 2000, five years after Jordan wore them in the NBA playoffs and four years after the "Concord" Air Jordan XI was sold to the general public.
"It took from 1995 to 2000 to get the 'Space Jam.' They—Nike—even changed the color from Concord Purple to Varsity Blue." What Bostic is referring to is the fact consumers thought the sneaker was tailored using Varsity Blue as its defining color, despite the fact the shoe was actually Concord Purple.
When the sneaker finally emerged in 2000, Nike went with the Varsity Blue look, ditching the original color palette in the process.
That's not the case anymore.
The 2016 version of the "Space Jam" XI gravitates around the concept of originality. A refined, glossy layering of patent leather absorbs the toe box and wraps the heel, following the guidelines set forth by the sample pairs we saw way back in '95.
This led to a subtle change in the sneaker's overall shape—something we haven't seen very much with recent Air Jordan XI retros.
You may not have noticed, but Jordan Brand also decided to go with No. 45 stitching on the back of the heel. This has become a direct selling point, as it reflects Jordan's return to the sport, when he briefly switched over from his traditional No. 23 jersey.
Finally, we've come full circle. Jordan Brand has pushed forward with a Concord Purple color pattern, cleansing itself of the Varsity Blue look people first fell in love with.
"This is a truly historic release if you know your history," Bostic explained.
A $220 price point has been attached to the 2016 rendition of the "Space Jam" XIs. The sneaker will available at various retail footwear chains and on the Nike SNKRS app.
Matt Powell of the NPD Group expects this to be a "popular release." "'Space Jam' is always one of the favorite ones," Powell said.
Based on the historic selling performance of any Air Jordan XI released around December and the nod to the sneaker's origins, followers of the Air Jordan XI "Space Jam" should be in for a long day of waiting around on December 10.
All product information per Nike News, unless noted otherwise. All quotes were obtained firsthand.
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