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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Serena Williams Signed Nike X Off-White Blazer Mid “Queen By Virgil Abloh | Size 6 is on display during a press preview at Sotheby’s on September 06, 2022 in New York City. The Invictus sports auction will be held from September 6-14. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1421354245.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Serena Williams Signed Nike X Off-White Blazer Mid “Queen By Virgil Abloh | Size 6 is on display during a press preview at Sotheby’s on September 06, 2022 in New York City. The Invictus sports auction will be held from September 6-14. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
When talking about the greatest basketball player of all time, a lot of factors come into play. Whether it be scoring, defense, MVPs, or Championships, each piece forms a puzzle. However, an undeniable part of the equation is influence. How impactful was player X off the court? And, when it comes to cultural impact, perhaps no one stands higher than the man who made the game global, Michael Jordan.
Whether it was the swagger or the style, MJ had it all. However, a big part of that image was the sneakers. From Day 1, Mike was different from the rest, and a big part of that was the iconic Jordans. Now, some 40 years later, the brand is still going strong, with ‘Black Jesus’ at the helm.
Michael Jordan continues major profit-earning venture
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Even though the Jordan brand is under the ownership of Nike, Michael continues to get 5% off royalties for it. As a result, over the last 5 years alone, Nike has paid Mike approximately 1 billion dollars in royalties alone.
Safe to say, the investment into the Jordan brand has gone extremely well. With his sale of the Charlotte Hornets, Jordan is quickly climbing the billionaire leaderboards. The initial deal struck in 1984, remains one of the most prominent sports-related deals in history.
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For its time, the $ 2.5 billion sum, along with bonuses and other royalties to a rookie, was hitherto unheard of. However, very clearly, the deal has paid huge dividends to both parties. Now, as Nike gets set to launch a big drop of Jordans in August, we take a detailed look at each of the 12 shoes in the release date order.
Air Jordan 2 WMNS “Crystal Mint”
A constant favorite of the Jordan brand, the Air Jordan 2 has found itself playing a huge role in the conversation. After two different white and blue colorways last year, the Jumpman team has revealed its original height of 4 with a different flavor of blue: “Crystal Mint”.
The key accent to this other way, the hue is only present on the eye stays, the lining, and the shoe’s signature linework. However, it has a bluish-green mixed with a bronze finish for the marbled Wings logo. Further white leather supplies the upper space, while a tint of grey has been splashed onto the heel and a majority of the rubber outsole.
The first release of the month is scheduled to come out on August 1st and is priced around $175.
Air Jordan 5 Low “Dongdan”
The brand will be dropping a Dongdan collection inspired by Chinese streetball tournaments. The first pair to be released comes as a colorway of the Air Jordan 5 Low, with a black, white, lilac ice, and pink rose color scheme.
The nubuck upper is decorated with 3M reflective tongues and comes in black while the speckled shark teeth overlay along the midsole is accentuated with pink. Elsewhere, the tournament’s logo is present on the heels as well as a translucent outside with the Jumpman sky graphic insole.
The official release data set for August 3rd and the pair comes in at a price of $190.
Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Black Toe”
The original Air Jordan 1 Low model will be coming out in a Chicago-themed colorway. While the upper of the show is constructed out of leather material, the base remains a white hue. Further, the pair will come in classic black, white, and red hues.
The white base is taken in to contrast with the black leather overlays. Moreover, the overlays are added upon the forefoot and lacing system as well. Another hue added to the design accents the red placed upon the heel tabs and heel counters.
The trademark Nike swooshes will also be in black color for the August 4th arrival. As with most Jordan classics, the shoe comes in at around $140.
Air Jordan 13 “Wolf Grey”
The better part of 2022 was spent with Nike hyping up four decades of the Air Force 1. As a result, the Air Jordan 13 Got very few releases, even though it was celebrating its 25th birthday. However, it seems like 2023 is a different beginning with the silhouette ushering in a wolf-grey colorway.
The shoe offers grey suedes around its heel, as well as along the lower half of the upper. Further red accents are applied to both the outsole as well as the branding, most notably visible on the Jordan tag and the jump man embroidered into the tongue.
The rest of the shoe is made up of white tumbled leather, matching the midsoles, laces, and lining. With an expected release date of August 5th and a price tag of $200 The Air Jordan 13 expects to enjoy a remarkable turnout.
AJ 2 Low WMNS “Varsity Royal”
With a long list of Air Jordan 2 lows set to release in the month, its second colorway is the varsity royal. With a brogue detailing structure to the silhouette and a construction that is primarily constituted by white tumbled leather, the shoe has a unique texture.
As a result, the back half of the shoe looks almost like snakeskin. A blue hue rounds out the package alongside touches of black with a cool tone highlighting the laces, trims, and heels. Moreover, the neutral darkens both the midsole as well as the lining.
The second in the AJ2 low line, Varsity Royal will enjoy an August 10th release date with a price tag of $150.
AJ 2 Low WMNS “Sky Orange”
The company plans to release multiple Air Jordan 2 makeovers during the month of August. However, the sky orange is one of the fresher options. While uncommon, it comes in a Sky J orange, varsity red, and Sky J Mauve color scheme.
The upper of the shoe has been made out of a special suede material, which is supported with plastic TPU panels on the heels. Further, the heel TPU panels are dressed in mauve, while the rest of the shoe is done in a mostly orange hue.
However, the finishing touches come with an aged midsole and cream/brown outsoles. An August 10th release, the show is priced at about $150.
Air Jordan 5 “Burgundy”
The Air Jordan 5 burgundy is officially seeing a return after debuting in 2006. Coming from a series of modern, updated colorways of the 1990 model, the highly attractive drops from the 2006-2007 line included green beans, lasers, and olives.
However, few managed to capture the premium aesthetic quite like the dark red tone of this shade. Thankfully, the 2023 version seems to be consistent with the original, complete with a speckle print on the midsole, translucent outsole, lace lock, and a big reflective tongue return.
State of August 12th and a price tag of $225, it comes in as one of the more costlier releases of the month.
Air Jordan 12 “Field Purple”
Over the last few years, the Air Jordan 12s have been used minimally by the iconic Swoosh. Instead, several general colorways and occasional collaboration make up for its usual presentation. This year, however, started off with a bang.
First, came two collaborative additions with A Ma Maniere. The latest release, however, is the Field Purple. Boasting its typical leather construction, the kick is a balance between signature purple and black, with a small smattering of gold mixed in.
The resulting combination is Jordan’s disciple, Kobe Bryant-esque in its appearance. Most of the upper portion is covered in black while purple covers the mudguard and sole unit. A gold lacing is joined by hits of golden yellow on the heel branding and outsole.
The shoe is set to release on August 12th and comes at a price of $200, a relatively cheap choice.
AJ 1 Low OG “Atmosphere Grey”
Similar to the Stealth version that came out last year, the Atmosphere Grey comes dressed in a sail, black, and atmosphere grey color scheme. The pair is constructed out of a full tumbled leather build paired with suede overlays and mesh tongues/lining.
The details in the design see a Grey toe box that includes matching Swooshes, heels, tongue labels, lining, and rubber outsole. Even though white covers a majority of the upper and laces. A sail midsole along with black “Nike Air” branding and wings logos complete the look.
With a release date set for August 25th, fans will have to wait a while to cop a pair. Due to a relatively low price tag of $140, the shoe is set to become a must-have.
Air Jordan 4 WMNS “Frozen Moments”
The Jordan label has taken this opportunity to pay respects to Michael Jordan’s fantastic and legendary career. That it falls in the year of Jordan, “23”, is further icing on the cake. The “frozen moments” colorway takes its inspiration from a 1997-TV ad.
However, the makeover is a nod to MJ’s iconic “The Shot” against Cleveland Cavaliers in 1989. The pair comes in a light iron ore, sail, neutral grey, black metallic silver color scheme. While the upper of the shoe, constructed out of leather and suede material, is adorned in light iron ore in neutral grey, the TPU wings are done in metallic silver.
The pair is expected to launch on August 26th, 2023 with a price tag of $225.
Air Jordan 2 WMNS “Soft Pink”
The Air Jordan 2 will continue its domination of the Jordan brand. The final colorway for the month seems to be inspired by the recent popularity of Barbie. The final launch for August will see the shoes take on a Soft Pink color scheme.
The kicks are designed with a white suede upper, sail midsole, and a split grey, and pink outsole, with soft pink hits on the shoe’s heels, lining, and tongue. The final release of the month also comes on its final day.
Releasing August 31st, the shoe is priced at $175.
Union LA x Air Jordan 1
Chris Gibbs’ founded brand Union LA is collaborating with Nike and the Jordan Brand to launch a Footscape Hydration of the iconic Air Jordan 1. The Union LA x Nike Air Jordan 1 shoe is completely unpredictable due to its unique stitching style.
The Frankenstein-esque mold is wrapped with turquoise threading that is placed on branding details. While the upper of the shoe is slightly yellow to give off a retro vibe, its inspiration is a 2000s Air Footscape woven lifestyle shoe.
This time around, however, the asymmetrical lacing structure and the silhouette have been infused with the AJ1. The pair has a slated launch for August 26. 23 and comes in relatively cheap at $200.
The myth of the Jordan brand
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Over the years, the brand has continued to grow in stature. Now, athletes directly sign with it as opposed to Nike itself. Top names in the league like Luka Doncic all gravitate to the excellence of the brand, and the man who made it legendary.
With most rising stars, including names like Jayson Tatum, and Zion Williamson, too opting for it, it remains to be seen how far the brand’s value truly goes.
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