The Air Jordan 9 “Olive”

The Air Jordan 9 is returning to Shoe Palace in one of its original colorways. You can find the Air Jordan 9 “Olive” at Shoe Palace this 11.9.

Olive

The Olive colorway is an OG Colorway from 1993. This 2024 retro version brings back the beloved colorway as it was. The shoe has a boot like look with its Black and Olive color scheme. It has a leather upper and jagged midsole.

Retirement

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. But the Air Jordan 10 was in jeopardy, and the performance of the 9 was going to dictate how the line proceeded. Even more shocking than MJ’s retirement, was the fact that MJ decided to pursue a career in baseball.

The 9

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 wore a baseball version of the shoe while playing. His statue, outside the Bulls arena, has the number 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.

The Legacy of the Air Jordan 9

The Air Jordan 9 is tied to one of the most interesting and unexpected periods in pop culture history. Michael Jordan retiring at the height of his career to play baseball is one of the biggest surprises in sports history. The Air Jordan 9 could have been the last sneaker in the line. However, Tinker Hatfield's work and Jordan's popularity helped the brand continue.

Shoe Palace

You can find the Air Jordan 9 “Olive” at Shoe Palace this 11.9.

 

- Adam C. Better