When you think of Michael Jordan, you probably think of two related things: his incredible NBA resume and his unshakable desire to win. Regarding the latter, we’ve heard stories about how his magnanimity wants to ensure he surrounds himself with solid talent. If you want to play with the Bulls, you have to be able to handle the pressure.
While that doesn’t directly translate into off-the-court efforts — you don’t necessarily have to jump on the board — Jordan still has some say in who he works with. When you’re one of the most famous people on the planet, you get to call the shots.
At least once, the shot involved Jordan Brand sneakers. Ask Spike Lee to explain.
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Jordan and Lee team up over shoes
While live TV has taken a step back in favor of streaming, there was a time when TV and TV advertising reigned supreme. In the world of sports, there are many iconic advertisements. Who could forget, for example, a game of HORSE played online with McDonald’s, or a jingle about wanting to be “like Mike”.
But there are also some Jordan-centric attractions.The photos were shot in black and white and feature Spike Lee in the role of Mars Blackmon she must have it. There were several in the series, but the most memorable was Blackmon’s attempt to determine what made Jordan “the best player in the universe.” And the star dismissed suggestions for everything from “vicious dunks” to “extremely long shorts,” while repeatedly returning to “shoes.”
Jordan insisted that sneakers were not the key to his success, but the ad did state that “Mr. Jordan’s views do not necessarily reflect the views of Nike, Inc.” and Blackmon’s now-signature statement: “It’s got to be the shoe.”
This sentiment is universally understandable and has earned a place in pop culture as a result. If you want to be like Jordan – who doesn’t? — and then you have to let your sneakers take off.
But where did this ad come from? Well, without Lee’s personal choice of shoes, this might never have come to fruition.
“Two guys, Jim Riswold (and) Bill Davenport, who worked at the Nike ad agency Wieden+Kennedy, saw the movie (she must have it), Lee explained in a speech type interview. “They decided they wanted me and Michael Jordan.”
The problem, however, is that due to a combination of influence and contract, his magnanimity was recognized by the director. Despite not knowing Lee or his work, he agreed.
How did that happen? Well, Lee eventually found out.
“A few years ago, the All-Star Game was in Toronto,” the famous Knicks fan recalled. “Finally, you know, we were in his room and I finally had enough courage to say, ‘Mike, why did you choose me? …’ And he said, ‘Mom, you’re wearing my shoes.'”
Weekly newspaper Contacted Jump Management to inquire about Jordan’s game collection.
However, Lee noted that he considers it an “honor” that he has been called that specific term by the Man in the Sky so many times.
Decades later, Lee Jordan’s ads still hold a prominent place in pop culture. Ultimately, it’s fitting that this collaboration stems from the pair’s work becoming famous.
As always, it had to be the shoes.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.