With the debut of the Nike Air Jordan 11 Retro Low “Space Jam” on 18 May 2024, we can’t help but look back at the storied history of the “Space Jam Jordans”. The cultural cache of the shoe was attested to with the 2016 release of the remastered retro of the pair.

Former Nike brand president Trevor Edwards was quoted in a 2017 Q3 earnings call saying the “Space Jam” Air Jordan 11 release was the “largest and most successful shoe launch in the history of Nike.”

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The 2024 release of the Nike Air Jordan 11 Retro Low “Space Jam”.

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It can be speculated that perhaps ‘90s kids finally had the purchasing power to get an iteration of the shoe they saw adorning the feet of their basketball idol, Michael Jordan, as he hooped with their favorite cartoon character, Bugs Bunny, in the 1996 animated movie, Space Jam.

Michael Jordan, Marvin the Martian, and Bugs Bunny in Space Jam. Image: Warner Bros.

The Impact the Eponymous Film Had on the Nike Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam”

The silhouette first adorned the feet of Michael Jordan when the Chicago Bulls went against Orlando Magic in the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals. It then proceeded to become His Airness’ official game shoe the following season.

However, the sheer success of the 1996 live-action/animated sports comedy directed by Joe Pytka—Space Jam being the highest grossing basketball movie of all-time—propelled it front and centre of every basketball fans’ mind, and turned it into one of the most sought-after sneakers till today.

The movie single-handedly made the Nike Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam” the stuff of legend. And Nike, in true Nike-fashion, capitalized on this well.

Nike Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam” Iterations and Releases Over the Years

2000: The First Retro Release

Nike Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam” 2000 Retro. Image: heiwakicks

At the precipice of the third millennium, on 13 December 2000, the iconic Nike Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam” made a glorious return, much to everyone’s delight. This retro release offered the long-awaited “Space Jam” design for the first time ever, rekindling the excitement for fans and solidifying its place in sneaker culture, because now fans could finally wear the shoes on their own feet.

There was some difference to the ones Jordan wore on the court in ’95 and ’96, though: compared to the originals, the 2000 edition boasts a wider body and uses thinner patent leather.

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2009: Return of the Retro

Nike Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam” 2000 Retro. Image: Sneaker News.

The 23 December 2009 retro release reignited the cultural flame for the Nike Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam”—just in time for last minute Christmas shopping. This wasn’t just another sneaker returning to shelves; it was a reminder of the shoe’s place in basketball and fashion history. Fans from all eras lined up to claim their piece of the legacy, proving the silhouette’s appeal transcended nostalgia.

Coincidentally (or maybe not so), the 2009 re-release shared the spotlight with a shoutout in Drake’s song “Forever”, featuring Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Eminem. Lil Wayne’s name-drop of “Space Jam Jordans” cemented the shoe’s deep cultural impact, extending its influence beyond the court and into the world of hip-hop.

The 2009 iteration saw Jordan Brand adopt a more modern aesthetic, featuring a trimmer silhouette and less bulky construction compared to the original.

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2016: The Retro Gets Remastered

The 2016 Remastered Nike Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam”. Image: Just Fresh Kicks.

In 2016, Jordan Brand went above and beyond with a remastered retro release of the Nike Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam”. This wasn’t simply a rerun; it was a meticulous restoration. The brand upgraded the materials used to make the pair, and used attention to detail to create an elevated iteration of the original 1995-1996 silhouette that Michael Jordan wore on the court and in the movie Space Jam. This release rekindled fans’ love for the iconic sneaker, and it resulted in Nike’s most successful shoe launch as of Q3 2017.

The 2016 remastered “Space Jam Jordans” brought back several key features seen in the original, including a higher ankle cut, a thicker patent leather material, and a wider toe box.

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2019: The Air Jordan 11 Low IE Gets Treated in “Space Jam”

Nike Air Jordan 11 Low IE “Space Jam”. Image: Nike

The Nike Air Jordan 11 Low IE “Space Jam” dropped on 13 July 2019. This iteration brought a fresh twist to the classic design. The iconic silhouette transformed into a sleek low-top, offering a modern interpretation while staying true to its roots in certain aspects. For one, the crisp white midsole and translucent outsole were kept.

Changes include the iconic Jumpman logo, usually positioned on the rear quarter panel of the original Air Jordan 11, being relocated to the tongue. Notably, the “45” numbering on the heel, a detail from the 2016 “Space Jam” that replaced Michael Jordan’s signature “23”, is absent from this version.

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2024: The Storied “Space Jam” Legacy Continues

Nike Air Jordan 11 Retro Low “Space Jam”. Image: Sneaker Bar Detroit.

This 2024 version features a classic Black and White base with Varsity Royal accents, a nod to the 2000 and 2009 releases. This replaces the concord purple seen on Michael Jordan’s original Player Exclusive (PE) and the 2016 edition. It maintains the OG look with a higher patent leather mudguard. The upper also features breathable mesh, a clean white midsole, and an icy blue translucent outsole.

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Other notable sneakers from the movie Space Jam

1. Nike Air Jordan 2 Retro “Chicago”

Bill Murray wearing the Nike Air Jordan 2 Retro “Chicago” in the movie Space Jam. Image: Warner Bros.

2. Nike Air Structure Triax

Stan wearing the Nike Air Structure Triax in the movie Space Jam. Image: Warner Bros.

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