The Air Jordan 9 “Fire Red” releases at Shoe Palace retail locations and website on November 23.

About the IX

When Michael Jordan retired from the game of basketball in 1993 nobody saw it coming. It was a blow to the world. The Chicago Bulls had just won their third straight championship and the 1993-1994 was on the verge of starting when MJ stepped away. The most important question for everyone at the time was, why is he leaving the game he loves so much? Another important question mark is what would happen to the Air Jordan brand? The Air Jordan 9 was already in production and ready to release when Jordan decided to end his career at the age of 30.

MJ never wore the 9 on the basketball court when it was originally released. But the sneaker was embraced and supported by sneaker and Jordan fans. Michael Jordan did wear a baseball version of the shoe on the diamond and his statue, which sits outside the Bulls arena, has the 9 on its feet. Tinker Hatfield designed the 9 before knowing MJ was leaving basketball. The focus of the design was Jordan becoming an international star. The outsole of the shoe featured text in different languages including Japanese, Russian, German, Spanish, French, and Swahili. In English, the words translated to “Dedicated,” “Intense,” and “Sport.” The heel has the Jumpman logo with the world placed behind it.

Shoe Palace

The Air Jordan 9 returns to Shoe Palace this November 23.

Men's SKU: CT8019-162

Grade school SKU: 302359-162