Nike is putting out a special two-pack of shoes to celebrate some important Michael Jordan history. In honor of his first contract, Nike is putting two of Jordan’s first shoes together in honor of the special contract he signed with the Chicago Bulls after he was drafted.
The “2 That Started It All” pack features a pair of Converse Fastbreak in Carolina Blue, a pair Jordan famously wore while playing for UNC and in the 1984 Olympics. The other pair is a special Player Edition colorway of the Jordan IIs, complete with Chicago Bulls red and black and a bit of Carolina Blue on the heel.
The shoes commemorate the signing of Jordan’s first professional contract. Jordan signed a deal on June 27, 1987 that had a special clause that allowed him to play in pickup basketball games. The idea was that Jordan’s ‘love of the game’ was so strong he wanted to be able to play anytime he wanted, despite the risk of injury that could come from such games.
The “love of the game” clause allowed him to play in a number of UNC alumni games, and generally challenge anyone who wanted a piece of Jordan to get what’s coming to them on the hardwood.
Nike’s purchase of Converse in 2003 helped make this package deal possible, but the Swoosh hasn’t done much to tamper with Converse’s signature Chuck Taylors, aside from the upgrade they gave the the Chuck Taylor IIs, which are a solid shoe. It’s great to see the Fastbreak back in blue, though, and it’s very cool that Jordan’s shoe legacy can be celebrated like this across brands.
The stylish pair of pairs go on sale on June 28, 30 years to the day Jordan inked his first deal with the Bulls.
