
via Imago
Nov 9, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series team owner Michael Jordan during qualifying for the Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

via Imago
Nov 9, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series team owner Michael Jordan during qualifying for the Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
It’s been 40 years since the Air Jordan 1 dropped, and the fanfare to buy Michael Jordan shoes remains the same! Nike even celebrated the partnership by launching a banning campaign, which helped create the hype for AJ1. Recently, the brand released another sneaker, which, unsurprisingly, sold out quickly. But the surprise factor was allegedly a fight that transpired because of the Air Jordan 9.
The Air Jordan 9 Retro ‘Cool Grey’ recently launched for $210. Despite the price, a fight broke out near Fordham, Bronx, as fans wanted to get their hands on the sneakers. “The Air Jordan 9 Retro “Cool Grey” brought everyone out today in Fordham, Bronx 😱🤯🤦♂️ 📹 IG: titoskickss.” Currently, there is no confirmation whether it happened over a Michael Jordan shoe. But the video on X already has more than 1 million views in less than 12 hours.
Another user on the thread spoke about the situation. “I know the dude who recorded this video. It all started over a petty disagreement regarding who was in line first. Then dudes started calling each other bum ass n—as. The dude getting jumped had a knife and probably would have started stabbing people if he wasn’t being suppressed like that…” It was re-release shoe, so one can understand the hype surrounding the purchase of it.
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The Air Jordan 9 Retro “Cool Grey” brought everyone out today in Fordham, Bronx 😱🤯🤦♂️
📹 IG: titoskickss pic.twitter.com/s0n0exeMYd
— KicksFinder (@KicksFinder) March 15, 2025
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The AJ9 “Cool Grey” colorway debuted in 2002, and the upper combines nubuck and patent leather. It has a minimalist design and features the “one-pull” lacing system, jagged midsole, and a matching Cool Grey-tinted outsole. Plus, the Jumpman branding and “23” on the heel keep it true to the classic. There are still questions surrounding the video and its legitimacy. But one thing that can’t be questioned is the love affair regarding His Airness and his shoes.
Michael Jordan brand and their efforts to promote AJ1
The campaign kicked off in style on Christmas Day with a commercial that provoked a thought: What if Michael Jordan and Nike hadn’t rewritten sneaker history? For this campaign, even the statue outside the United Center was used, as the shoes on the statue were boxed out. Jordans on the website were also censored to promote the product.
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What’s your perspective on:
Does the Air Jordan frenzy reflect our love for MJ, or just our obsession with status symbols?
Have an interesting take?
Even the employees received “citations” for wearing the infamous sneakers. A ‘violation’ issued by Jordan Security Services (not real) to anybody who did not follow the code. A ‘compliance officer’ identified as ‘Officer Roprano’ in the clips was handing out receipts to anybody wearing the iconic shoes. The official is obviously wearing white shoes, which the league allowed at the time.
The Air Jordan 1 85 high top was available in 23 select retailers. Only 2 in Canada and 21 in the United States, including The Trophy Room, which is run by Michael Jordan’s son Marcus Jordan. More importantly, the kicks were available scarcely, only 10,000 pairs were in those stores. Some fans did vent their frustration over the $250 price tag. Even a $210 shoe, Air Jordan 9 Retro ‘Cool Grey’ is apparently causing people to throw hands at each other.
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Debate
Does the Air Jordan frenzy reflect our love for MJ, or just our obsession with status symbols?