18 Feb 19
Sneaker News
It’s hard not to see Nike’s fingerprints all over the rock. As the NBA has grown massively over the years, the Swoosh has earned its part of the spotlight thanks to several endeavors in partnership with the league and the widely popular signature footwear for the NBA’s most valuable star assets. There’s no question that Nike’s participation has had a profound effect on the growing success of the NBA, while the hard facts say that 96% of ballers and fans wear Nike/Jordan, proving that the Swoosh and the Jumpman are very much an integral source of life in the basketball ecosystem.
During the past weekend in Charlotte where the NBA All-Star Game was hosted, Nike and Jordan provided an up close look at their latest innovations and cultural connections to hoops. The city’s locals and the game’s most devoted fans were treated with an impressive schedule of events completely free to the public, all while offering their latest developments in footwear such as the self-lacing Adapt BB and some collaborations with the most respected shops of the region.
All things basketball
The Owners HQ
Charlotte, NC
If you didn’t visit the Owners HQ in Charlotte, then you don’t like NBA basketball. Nike and Jordan teamed up for The Owners HQ in Charlotte, NC, setting up shop at the massive The Mint Museum for a full throttle takeover of the space. From Thursday through All-Star Sunday, consumers were welcomed with an epic display of All-Star jerseys, a half-court with fully digitized screens, the Nike Adapt BB trialing center, a customization center, and much more. This location was a one-stop immersion into basketball, done in Nike/Jordan style.
Ballers go head to head The Owners HQ
Aleali May customizes jersey The Owners HQ
Consumers customize Charlotte gear The Owners HQ
Nike SNKRS The Owners HQ
QR code to unlock the special manual The Owners HQ
Snapchat workshop The Owners HQ
The Owners Gallery The Owners HQ
All-Star Jersey display The Owners HQ
Owners Lounge The Owners HQ
Adapt BB trial area The Owners HQ
Athlete Appearances
All-Stars Take Over The City
Charlotte, NC
Twenty-four of the NBA’s best players arrived in Charlotte to engage with the locals. The Owners HQ was the epicenter for many of the appearances, which included LeBron James being interviewed by Skye Katz and Giannis Antetokounmpo battling it out on NBA2K. There were other locations where fans got to meet their hoops idols, such as the House of Hoops Courtside pop-up right outside the stadium and at Social Status.
Giannis and a youngster battle it out on NBA2K
Kyle Kuzma meets the crowd at the Owners HQ
LeBron James chats with Skye Katz
Luca Doncic with Own The Game participants
Jayson Tatum at House of Hoops Courtside
Kevin Durant at the Owners Gallery
Kemba Walker greets local fans
Anthony Davis judges a dunk contest
Nikola Vucevic customizes a tee
Karl Anthony-Towns at the Snapchat workshop
For The City
Be Social
Social Status
Off the main drag, Nike and Jordan collaborated with local retailer Social Status to open some more events to the community. James Whitner, found of the shop and the first recipient of the Air Jordan 4 “Wings”, opened the rear communal area of his shop for design workshops with The Shoe Surgeon, free haircuts for youths, and more. The House of DNA served as a storytelling hub for Nike’s key basketball innovations, a shrine to the Air Jordan VI, and even the SNKRS Pass pick-up location for the Air Jordan 6 collaboration. Fun fact: the house itself served as a temporary retail location while Social Status was going through renovations some time ago.
Michael Jordan and James Whitner
Social Status picks the best Air Jordan VI colorways
The Air Jordan 6 innovation wall
The House of DNA
ROKIT x Kyrie 5 release
The Social Status Crew
Air Jordan 6 NRG release
Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge
Free cuts!
Air Jordan 4 “Wings” presented to James Whitner
The Shoe Surgeon reveals his magic
Black Hornet Release
A Sneakerhead Swarm
Black Sheep Skate Shop
The crossover connection with hoops and skate was a strong plot-line throughout Nike’s efforts in Charlotte. Local skate-shop Black Sheep collaborated with the brand on an SB Dunk High release that nodded to the great Michael Jordan while adding some signature touches relevant to the city. The release drew massive lines to the point where local police forced the shop to employ a wristband release system to avoid any chaos. When it was all said and done, Black Sheep’s collaborative Dunk, their third overall, was one of the best sneaker drops of the entire weekend.
Fat Joe picks up the Black Hornet
Eager crowd awaits…
Stacks of special edition shop-exclusive boxes
Locals come through for the release
Sold out!
Rokit x Nike
The Block Party
Charlotte, NC
As a celebration for the local sneaker drops at Social Status and Black Sheep as well as the launch of the ROKIT x Kyrie 5, Nike opened up the Block Party at the corner of Central and Thomas. A massive jumbotron projected the gaming hub where event-goers hit the sticks on some NBA Live, while a full skate ramp with Black Sheep’s crew added to the energetic noise.
ROKIT x Nike Kyrie 5 skate ramp
Riding up the ROKIT backboard
NBA Live on the jumbotron
Air Jordan 1 “Turbo Green” on the ramp