The Saga of the Jordan 11 "Space Jam"

The moment when cartoons hit the court...

Once upon the buzzing courts of 1984, a rookie named Michael Jordan began etching his basketball legend.

Perhaps you know the guy. We may have also mentioned him a few times in this newsletter.

It wasn't just a game; it was the genesis of an era. Fast-forward to 1996, MJ veered into Hollywood, starring in the iconic Space Jam.

But the tale doesn't start with a sneaker; it starts with a commercial.

The Birth of 'Space Jam'

It all started with a Nike commercial during 1992's Super Bowl, pitting "Air Jordan" against Bugs Bunny in a basketball showdown.

The positive reception paved the way for an expanded commercial the following year, featuring Jordan and Bugs facing towering aliens.

Seizing the opportunity, Jordan's agent, David Falk, convinced Warner Bros. that a feature film was the next logical step.

The Behind-the-Scenes Hustle

To bring the animated world to life, director Joe Pytka navigated a complex web of animation logistics.

The film incorporated real elements from Jordan's life, including his baseball stint, intertwining reality with the whimsical notion of Bugs coaxing the athlete out of retirement for an intergalactic basketball game.

As Jordan stepped into the world of acting, the production faced unique challenges.

To aid his interaction with cartoon characters, performers in green suits acted out scenes on a greenscreen set, a cutting-edge approach in '95.

Despite a neophyte actor and intricate animation logistics, the film pressed forward with the basketball legend at the helm.

As Space Jam hit theaters in 1996, Jordan not only reestablished himself as the best basketball player globally but also became a cinematic star.

The film's global success, with $230 million in earnings and $1.2 billion in merchandise sales, marked another triumph in Jordan's glittering career.

The Legacy Unfolds

While talks of a Space Jam 2 emerged, Jordan gracefully bowed out, emphasizing the difficulty of acting with characters yet to be drawn. The original Space Jam remains a cornerstone of Jordan's legacy—a testament not just to his on-court brilliance but also to the doors he opened for athletes venturing beyond their designated lanes.

The film's success catalyzed a demand that echoed through the sneakerhead community.

The iconic blacked-out design with royal blue accents, initially showcased in the film, became a symbol of cultural cool.

From the debut in 1995 to the nostalgic revivals in 2009 and 2016, each release was a cinematic encore, driving sneaker enthusiasts into a frenzy.

The Air Jordan 11 "Space Jam" wasn't just footwear; it was a wearable piece of the Space Jam narrative, a tangible connection to the cinematic magic that unfolded on the screen, and a testament to the interwoven realms of sports, cinema, and street style.

Check out the OG pair that was released in 2000 below