Nike Goes Back In Time with 'Origin Story' Animated Film

Sports giant Nike has launched a new short film that tells the tale of how one of its most iconic sneakers brought the brand to stardom and global success.

"Origin Story" is an animated short detailing how the then-NBA rookie Michael Jordan was banned from wearing his namesake shoe "Air Jordan 1" to games — as well as how Nike founder Phil Knight pounced on the opportunity to market the shoe and boost Nike's brand awareness. 

The release of "Origin Story" coincides with the shoe's 40th anniversary, celebrating its run decades after its launch.

The Air Jordan 1s are an integral part of Nike's brand identity to this day. 

First hitting the stores on April 1, 1985, the shoe continues to be one of Nike's best-selling divisions, helping the brand reach $7 billion in sales revenue in 2024. 

 

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A post shared by Jordan (@jumpman23)

Apart from the short film, Nike has also launched several teasers on the Jordan Brand's social media, alluding to several upcoming activations and celebrations. 

Through the visually captivating short film, Nike reminds viewers and fans all over the world of its humble beginnings — and the series of events that lead to its greatness all these years.

How the Air Jordan 1 Made Nike Famous

The two-minute short takes viewers back to Day 1 of how a humble sneaker became a global icon. 

During Jordan's rookie season, he was called out for wearing his red and black Air Jordan 1 "Bred" sneakers during a preseason game in 1984. 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jordan (@jumpman23)

This was because the black and red colorway violated Article 4 section B clause 3.2, or the "Uniformity of Uniform Rule." 

It stated that a player's shoes must be at least 51% white, and had to match with the shoes of his teammates. 

This led the NBA to fine Jordan and ban his shoe from games, causing chaos within Nike. 

However, Nike founder Phil Knight flipped the script and harped on a golden opportunity to market the Air Jordan 1s. 

During the league's All-Star Game dunk contest, Jordan was finally able to wear his signature shoe, which lead to buzz and high demand for it. 

Eventually, the shoe reached global status, from the streets of New York, to the tip of the Eiffel. 

And the rest was history. 

Recently, Nike brought back its iconic Wu-Tang Clan Dunk sneaker after 25 years.