Michael Jordan’s Christmas favor turned tragic during iconic release 12 years ago

Sneaker culture owes a lot to Jordan. Every sneakerhead around the world has Jordan shoes on their shelf and displays them proudly. However, there were also some declines that ended up causing chaos and authorities eventually had to intervene. The Air Jordan 11 Concord is one of them.

Michael Jordan’s collaboration with Nike back in 1984 dominated the market in a way that many could never have dreamed of. Decades later, there’s an entire cultural conversation surrounding these shoes. Let’s look back at what happened on Christmas Eve 12 years ago when Concorde was launched.

Chaos after Jordan 11 release

Air Jordan has several timeless silhouettes, and the Jordan 11 is one of the pantheon of timeless sneakers. The Concord is designed to be paired with a tuxedo, which makes the shoe even more special. It is still considered one of the most hyped shoes from the brand. This cultural significance comes from Jordan wearing the shoe during the 1995-96 season, a record-breaking season that saw the Chicago Bulls rampage through the league and finish with a 72-10 record. So, in some cases, it’s crucial for fans to get their hands on this classic.

When the shoes were re-released for $175 a pair, people flocked to stores, causing considerable chaos. As a result, many cases of violence occurred across the country. The incident was so impactful that Nike released a statement to the public, “We are extremely concerned about reports of crowd incidents occurring at the launch of the Air Jordan . “.

To this day, it’s still difficult to understand what caused such a nationwide craze. Whether it’s because Boyz II Men wore them or because many people claim these sneakers look amazing on black patent leather.

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Whatever the reason, what happened in the country when it was released in 2011 is still remembered. While the dedication of a pair of shoes takes center stage when discussing the incident, the sheer chaos, unfortunate violence and arrests leave a sour taste.

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