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Following its latest collab with the GOAT in tennis, Nike salutes the women in the basketball game with its newest Jordan shoe lineup designed for current — and future — WNBA superstars.
The Jordan Heir series “builds on Jordan Brand’s legacy of innovating with the female basketball player at the forefront, beginning with the 1998 release of the women’s Air Jordan OG — the first model creative exclusively for women,” notes Nike.
Priced at $110, the low basketball shoes were designed with feedback from 15 of Jordan Brand’s women ambassadors, including UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice and high school point guard Kiyomi McMiller (two of the first athletes to score Name, Image, and Likeness deals with Nike). The Cushlon 3.0 midsole is surrounded by a protective foam layer, boosting mobility and keeping the foot as close to the court as possible for the most efficient running and cutting.
The sneakers’ rubber herringbone traction design “enables quickness and control,” while the flexible cage provides support and prevents ankle rolling, which Nike says is the most common injury among women basketball players. They’re finished with the iconic Jumpman logo inspired by NBA star and brand namesake Michael Jordan, whose game-changing deal with Nike in 1984 preceded California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s NCAA-defying law allowing NIL sponsorships among college athletes. (Jordan’s story was immortalized in Amazon’s Golden Globes-nominated original film Air starring Ben Affleck as Nike co-founder Philip Knight and Matt Damon as sports marketing executive Sony Vaccaro.)
The kicks have already scored approval points among the pros, including brand ambassador and Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada. “I love how light they are, how comfortable they are, and I feel like I have a lot of support when I run and cut out on the court,” she explains in a release.
The release comes as the WNBA expands its reach after a surge in popularity this summer, thanks to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark’s rise from rookie to WNBA All-Star.
Shop the new Jordan Heir Series shoes below.
Nike Jordan Heir Women’s Basketball Shoe
