The Air Jordan 9 was the first Jordan shoe to release following Michael Jordan’s first retirement from the NBA. Despite never being worn while a member of the Chicago Bulls, Jordan wore it a number of times while playing for the Washington Wizards during his third stint in the NBA.
The first retro Jordan 9 came in 2002 and has remained a favorite amongst many Jordan heads despite having a strong love/hate reaction with a lot of sneakerheads. As a retro, the shoe was updated coming in low top form, outfitted as a winterized boot, cleated for baseball, and retooled as a golf shoe.
Upcoming Air Jordan 9 Retro Release Dates
Air Jordan 9 Available Now
History of the Air Jordan 9
The Air Jordan 9, designed by Tinker Hatfield, with the help of Mark Smith, pushed the boundaries with design. The shoes told the story of Michael Jordan as an “International Icon” featuring foreign languages from heel to toe on the outsole. A total of six different languages appear on the sole of the shoe. With the aid of graphics and foreign languages, the soles of the shoes told the story of how basketball became an international game and MJ a global ambassador for the sport.
The Air Jordan 9 would be the first Air Jordan that Mike didn’t wear in an NBA game, but that didn’t prevent fans from seeing them on his feet. Jordan would wear a Jordan 9 in cleat form throughout the season playing for the Birmingham Barons, but we would eventually catch them on the hardwood that NBA season. While they may be the first shoe he didn’t wear on an NBA floor, they’re also the first Air Jordans to be given to individual players in PE (Player Edition) form. Latrell Sprewell, Mitch Richmond, BJ Armstrong, Anfernee Hardaway, Kendall Gill, and Harold ‘Baby Jordan’ Miner received the Air Jordan 9 with their numbers in place of the signature ’23’ on the heel.
The Air Jordan 9 made appearances on the silver screen featured in the 1996 film Space Jam and would later be worn by MJ during his final NBA run with the Washington Wizards.
Chapter of Transition
Roughly one month after the Bulls won their third consecutive NBA Title, Michael Jordan’s father James was murdered on July 23, 1993. Devastated by the loss of his father, Jordan said he had lost his desire to play basketball. On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan stunned the sports world and announced his retirement from the NBA. Then on Feb 7, 1994, perhaps the most stunning announcement of all came. Jordan had signed a Minor League baseball contract with the Chicago White Sox. His father had always dreamed of his son playing professional baseball and he wanted to pursue that dream.
This hiatus marked a transitional period for both MJ and the Air Jordan line. The Air Jordan 9, released in 1993, would be the first shoe to represent the iconic basketball player without him on the court.
Global Inspiration
The design of the Air Jordan 9 draws inspiration from various global cultures, reflecting the international impact of Michael Jordan’s fame. The sneaker features intricate details that showcase influences from Japan, where MJ’s popularity had soared to unprecedented heights. The dynamic design incorporates elements from traditional Japanese architecture and art, making the Air Jordan 9 a fusion of basketball and global aesthetics.
Striking Aesthetic
With Tinker Hatfield at the helm of the design process, the Air Jordan 9 boasts a striking silhouette that deviates from its predecessors. The absence of the iconic Nike Swoosh and the “23” numbering on the heel is replaced by a bold “Jumpman” logo. The shoe’s midsole showcases a unique design, featuring different languages that spell out Jordan’s various achievements and personal attributes. These subtle yet significant changes contributed to the distinct identity of the Air Jordan 9.
