From Worn-Out Jordans to Doc Martens & the Legendary Air Jordan Legacy (Plus a Book Update!)

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Hey everyone!

So, here's a little Saturday story for you. Normally, Saturdays are all about the glitz and glam of the "Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling" (GLOW) for me. But today, I felt like reminiscing about something totally different: Air Jordan sneakers. You know, those iconic shoes that have become a cultural phenomenon.

I'll admit, my personal experience with Air Jordans is pretty limited. I actually only ever owned one pair. They were undeniably comfortable, but let's just say they didn't quite survive my New York adventures. I wore them out faster than I expected, and soon enough, they were replaced by my absolute favorite shoes ever: my first pair of Doc Marten boots. Those things were practically glued to my feet for seven years! But, enough about my footwear journey—let's get back to the legend of the Jordans.

The story behind Air Jordans is actually pretty wild. Back in 1984, when Michael Jordan signed with Nike to promote these basketball sneakers, the NBA threw a curveball. They banned the shoes because they didn't fit the league's color regulations! But did Jordan care? Nope. He kept rocking those Air Jordans, dominating on the court and making sneaker history. It was a rebellious move that totally worked.

Over the years, Nike released countless versions of Air Jordans and some of them have become incredibly valuable collector's items. I heard about this one pair of 1985 black Air Jordans with gold accents that sold for a whopping $25,000! Apparently, only 12 pairs were ever made, so rarity definitely plays a huge role. It's amazing to see how these shoes have transformed into something so sought after.

And talk about success! Air Jordan as a brand has been a massive hit. In 2017, it was estimated that Michael Jordan was earning around $100 million a year from the brand alone. That's just mind-blowing! Even the newer releases of Air Jordans can fetch a high price. People often resell them online for hundreds of dollars more than their original retail value. Take the Air Jordan 12 "Flu Game" for example. It's modeled after Jordan's legendary performance when he played despite having the flu in the 1997 NBA Finals. You can find those online for around $300, but get this: the actual pair he wore in that game sold for $105,000 in 2013! Crazy, right?

It's fascinating to think about how a pair of basketball shoes became such an icon. The Air Jordan story is a mix of sports history, fashion and a dash of rebellion. It's a story that continues to evolve with each new release.

On another note, something I've been pouring a lot of time and energy into lately is revisions, corrections and edits of my book, "Under the Lifeguard's Watch." It's getting closer and closer to being ready to go to the publishers! It's already been assigned an ISBN number and I'm so incredibly excited to put Casper and Soren's story out into the universe for everyone to enjoy. It's a labor of love I can't wait to share.

Now, I'm curious—have you ever owned a pair of Air Jordans? What's your sneaker story? And what are you currently working on that you're excited about? I'd love to hear about it all in the comments below!


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