Its design strongly contrasted with the shoes worn by the Chicago Bulls star
© RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
You would never see Michael Jordan wearing any shoes other than the Jordan brand or Nike model but once upon a time, he wore tennis shoes made famous by former tennis star Andre Agassi.
Why Michael Jordan wore Air Challenge LWP
Michael Jordan retired from the NBA in 1993 but could not stay away from the game for good. After two years, he announced his return, which effectively changed the league’s landscape. He announced his comeback in just two simple words: I’m back.
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Curiously, Mike wore different sneakers at that time – tennis shoes endorsed by Andre Agassi, the Air Challenge LWP. Its design strongly contrasted with the shoes worn by the Chicago Bulls star.
Agassi and Jordan share a lot of similarities. They were both Nike endorsers and proven winners off and on the court. Both possessed fiery passion on the court and displayed never-say-die attitudes. Aside from superstar material, MJ was a co-sign of the sneakers, making it a hit among basketball and tennis fans.
But why did MJ not wear his shoes? It could have been an iconic moment that would help boost his image and sell sneakers once more. That move could prove to be strategic. It was his way of promoting the other shoes of Nike, and no other athlete could have pulled it off aside from MJ.
How Jordan revolutionized the sneakers industry
Michael Jordan was among the first athletes to commercially leverage his success on the court. No other basketball player before that had a more profound impact than Michael Jordan’s partnership with Nike. He wasn’t the first athlete to have a shoe endorsement, but his influence could not be denied, and it transcended to other sports.
Agassi, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal launched their signature shoes under Nike. In a way, Jordan wearing tennis shoes at a crucial moment in basketball history was iconic. Until now, the Air Challenge LWP is still being discussed, and how Michael Jordan wore it during his return announcement. If Jordan decided to wear other sneakers instead, then the Air Challenge LWP would still become a great shoe on its own, but without the historical substance, only Michael Jordan’s name could bring.
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