Michael Jordan, Phil Knight & Spike Lee
2022 Creative Hall of Fame Inductee
Advertising, Design, Illustration
Michael Jordan was initially doubted as Nike's face, but CEO Phil Knight recognized his potential. Spike Lee's role in Air Jordan commercials transformed sneaker marketing, showcasing them as both performance gear and fashion statements, significantly impacting the industry.
Career
It’s hard to imagine a world where Michael Jordan and Nike aren’t inextricably linked.
But according to Spike Lee, who was involved in the Air Jordan line early on, there was a time when some at Nike didn’t think MJ was the right choice for the face of the company.
Then-CEO Phil Knight saw the potential in Jordan as Nike’s standard-bearer and went ahead despite those naysayers. The rest, as we all know, is history.
Spike Lee’s role as Mars Blackmon in late-’80s and early-’90s Air Jordan commercials revolutionized the way sneakers were marketed. Jordan and Lee’s on-screen magic not only presented Air Jordans as elite performance tools, but must-have pieces of off-court fashion as well.
The industry hasn’t been the same since.
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Rich Maze Lopez and Zac Dubasik, Sole Collector
Rich Maze Lopez and Brandon Richard, Sole Collector