Air Power
IT'S BEEN ALMOST 13 years since Michael Jordan last played in the NBA, yet more people than ever want to be like Mike. Nike's Jordan Brand, which pulled in $2.6 billion in 2014, will release the 30th edition of the Air Jordan sneaker on Feb. 12. Here are four things to know about the shoe that changed the game.
1 OUT OF THIS WORLD
The inspiration for the AJXXX started in February 2015 with a doodle (above) from designer Tinker Hatfield, who thought of His Airness as "an alien of sorts."
2 "FERRARI FOR THE COURT"
That's what Hatfield, who has designed a majority of the Air Jordans, calls his latest creation. It combines all of Nike's most recent innovations, such as improved cushioning and ankle support, into one sneaker.
3 JUMP, MAN
The familiar logo is nearly hidden on the top and bottom of the toe and can be seen best only from certain angles, such as from the eyes of a defender as someone dunks over him.
4 MASTER CLASS
Jordan asked Hatfield to design the AJXXX and was consulted throughout the process. When stuck, Hatfield (left) says, "you really go back to the well. The well? Michael Jordan."
TWO PHOTOS
NIKE (AIR POWER, HATFIELD)
TWO PHOTOS