Phil Knight (Nike Co Founder) recently appeared on Oprah. He blessed her and the audience with a custom pair of Nike Lunarglide 2′s and everybody got the new Nike x Tom Tom GPS Watch. (Which is a $200 watch by the way). There were only 400 pairs of the shoes made for Oprah, her audience, and staff. WOW!!!

Featuring laces printed with ‘Knight’ and ‘Winfrey’, Oprah’s logo on the tongue and a pic of Oprah’s favourite tree on the insole, Oprah’s pair came in a deluxe wooden wooden box made from a high school gymnasium floor inscribed with one of her pet quotes: “I still have my feet on the ground. I just wear better shoes.” Only 400 have been made, with each lucky Oprah audience member getting hooked up with a pair (cue hysterics.) See it all happen below!

Spotted at Sneaker Freaker

Foot Locker has been stepping up their marketing game lately launching their own Blog site called Foot Locker Unlocked. It’s the #1 place to see what’s new or will be released in foot locker locations. Also keeps you up to date on special midnight launches, has a gaming section, and of course you can order product directly from the site, if you don’t feel like traveling to a Foot Locker.

F.L. has been pushing this “Get Fresh Air” campaign pretty heavy for the past few weeks. The campaign promotes several newly released Nike Air shoes and features athletes Amar’e Stoudemire, DeSean Jackson and Chris Bosh. To create some music for the movement, Foot Locker enlisted Chicago duo The Cool Kids to do what they do best… “Get Fresh.” Check it out.

The Jordan Sneaker Gods are in FULL effect in 2011. Blessing us earlier this year with the Cement Jordan 3′s in the O.G. box. Now the Jordan 7 Bordeaux which hasn’t been seen since it was originally released in 1992 is making it’s way back into the marketplace on April 16th, 2011.

The shoe is called the “Bordeaux” because of it’s dark wine coloring that makes up a big part of the tongue, back and sole of the shoe. If knowledge serves me correctly the only time MJ ever wore these shoes in an actual game was the 1992 All Star Game. I also remember when Jordan was wearing the Bordeaux’s in the “Jam” video with Michael Jackson.

Michael Jordan rocking the Jordan 7 Bordeaux’s at the 92 All Star Game.

You might recognize the Bordeaux’s from the original Air Jordan commercial featuring Bugs Bunny that everyone now knows as “Hare Jordan”. This was before Space Jam but it’s probably what helped create the idea and concept for the movie. It’s definitely one of my favorite commercials from back in the day.

Check out Jordans feet in Michael Jackson’s Jam video.

These are a MUST have. Don’t sleep.

Last fall I noticed the Nike Air Presto sneaked back into production. I caught 3 color-ways at a Foot Locker location but didn’t hear much buzz about the shoe.

Well it looks like the Nike Air Presto is full steam ahead for spring 2011 as 7 different vibrant color-ways have recently been released. Ten years ago before the Nike Free series blew up the Presto was thee running shoe to own if you wanted to feel like you were wearing nothing but a sock. These shoes are COMFY! They were called “The T-Shirt For Your Feet” due to their comfort and also unique sizing. The presto’s rather than numbers come in XS, S, M, L, etc. sizes. If your going to be doing a lot of walking this summer, headed on a vacation, or just looking for something comfortable to kick around in, look no further.

The Nike Air Presto retails for $90.00 and you can pick these up at the Nike Running Store Lenox in ATL or Nike Store on the net.
Style # 347635

Color blocking, snug fit, and lightweight construction are major strong points of this innovative Nike design. Stretch mesh composes the upper supported by a cage lacing system. Unlike standard shoe sizing, the Nike Air Presto runs from sizes XXXS-XXXL.

Spotted at Nice Kicks

I posted this video on Facebook about a week ago, but never got a chance to post it on the Blog.

The Nike Free Run Plus was released in Spring 2010. The shoe was made in a ton of color-ways and became highly popular. Oprah even featured the shoe on her “Ultimate Favorite Things of 2010″ show.

The special thing about the Free Run is it’s designed to simulate barefoot running, so it has a very flexible and lightweight feel on the foot. “Freedom For Your Feet.”

Check out this video with Tony Bignel (Nike Running Footwear Global Director) speaking on all the cool features of the shoe.

The moment many sneaker heads have been waiting for. The Nike Air Royal Blue Foamposites are BACK! Originally worn by Penny Hardaway in 1997, this shoe was a glimpse into the future in technology for sneakers. It was also the most expensive sneaker I had ever seen in my life (at the time) with a price point of $180. This Saturday February 12th, 2011 the Sneaker Gods will be blessing us with a re-release of the Nike Air Royal Foamposites. The last time we saw this shoe was in 2007 (10 years after it was originally released) and they flew off the shelves pretty quickly. This time around the foams will cost you $200 before tax. I hope you have been saving up.

One of the most iconic basketball sneakers of all-time, the Penny Hardaway “Royal” Nike Air Foamposite One is set to make another return to retail tonight. Originally released in 1997 and last seen in 2007, the “Penny” Foams feature a truly innovative design, with flowing lines complimenting a metallic blue molded foam shell and black nubuck upper. Penny branding, a carbon fiber support plate and ‘icy’ translucent outsole put the finishing touches on a shoe that still seems ahead of its time.

Shoe Info:

02/12/2011 Nike Air Foamposite One LE
Color: Dark Neon Royal/White-Black
Style: 314996-500
Price: $200.00

Here is a video with good ole Sneaker Dave from TheShoeGame showing the difference between the 2007 foams and the 2011′s.

And here is some classic footage of Penny Hardaway making the shoes famous on the court. When Penny wasn’t hanging out with Lil Penny and shooting commercials with Tyra Banks and Spike Lee, he was on the court giving opponents the Business!

While I have been anticipating the release of the Jordan 3 Cement/Fire Red (See Below) the Jordan 3 Black History Month snuck up on me.

For the past few years every February the Nike brand celebrates African American achievements, and the month of Feb. which signifies Black History Month via a special limited edition sneaker. For 08, 09, & 10 the shoe of choice was the Nike Air Force One Low. For 2011 I’m not sure if another Air Force One will be created, but today we heard the news of a Jordan 3 to be released in conjunction with BHM. Check out a picture below.

Not sure on a price, or a release date for these yet.

Also the original Jordan 3 Cement/Fire Red will be re-released next Friday, January 22nd. These will be a general release, but like the cool grey’s I’m expecting them to go pretty quick. What’s really exciting about this release is the Jordan Brand is going back to the old-school Jordan box that we saw from the 2′s – 6′s with the cement/elephant print. There also taking it a step further with a special cement print tissue paper in the box. I’m personally a fan of the older boxes, although I will admit the newer boxes are a LOT sturdier, especially when it comes to stacking shoes on top of each other. These bad boys will retail for $150.

Jordan 3 BHM spotted at The Shoe Game / Jordan Cement 3 spotted at Counter Kicks.

The 2011 version of the Nike Air Max running shoe is on the way. Flywire technology has played a big part in the 09 and 10 Air Max models, but with the emergence of fuse technology, the 2011 sees a new upper. Fuse a new material designed as a single piece. It’s made to be powerful, breathable, without affecting the integrity or the performance advantages of the shoe.

The Nike Air Max+ 2011: Maximum cushioning and a seamless fit

The Nike Air Max+ 2011 Men’s Running Shoe improves upon its popular predecessor with an innovative, lightweight upper and a plusher fit and feel.

Benefits
Hyperfuse upper for lightweight support, durability and ventilation
Mesh inner-sleeve for breathability and a plush fit and feel
Max Air technology for maximum impact protection

Design
The upper of the Air Max+ 2011 Men’s Running Shoe features Hyperfuse, which is made of multiple materials fused together for incredibly lightweight, breathable durability and a seamless fit. Inside the shoe, a mesh inner-sleeve, or bootie, wraps around the entire foot for a plush feel and extra breathability.

Cushioning
For smoother, more natural range of motion and maximum impact protection, the Air Max features a full-length Max Air unit. A full-length Cushlon midsole adds soft cushioning and springy resilience.

Additional Details
Reflectivity for enhanced visibility in low light
Molded collar around the ankle to help reduce slippage
Colored Max Air unit with a translucent perimeter on the outsole for a unique look
Rubber outsole with Waffle pattern and lugs around the perimeter for durability and traction
Flex grooves for enhanced flexibility and a smoother transition from heel to toe
Nike+ ready

By implementing the Nike Fuse Technology, first seen on the Nike Basketball Hyperfuse. The 2011 Air Max is not only lighter than its predecessors, its fit is far more superior since all the overlays and appendages are now part of the upper as one piece. Another benefit is the responsiveness of the footwear because of the snug fit. Along with the fused upper, a full-length Max Air unit with blown bubble outsole ensure stability and cushioning.

Spotted At Kix And The City

If your in ATL look for these to be released at the Nike Running Store Lenox Feb. 9th. You also pre-order these online via NikeStore. From what I’m seeing there will be LOTS of color-ways to come in this shoe.

I caught this video on Kix and the City yesterday.

Few things I found interesting. MJ was playing for the Bulls before he officially finished college. Mike had a LOT of endorsements early in career, and there’s a LOT of politics in the endorsement world, as you can see by watching this clip.

And I don’t know who’s Mikes stylist was but that patent leather jump suit is Ugggggly!

This past Wednesday night one the most anticipated sneakers of this year was released. The Jordan XI aka the Cool Greys are what many sneakers heads have been waiting for all year. The Shoe Game patterned up with the Nike Store Lenox once again to celebrate their 4 year anniversary. This also became the official Jordan Cool Grey midnight launch event.

Hundreds of people, young, old, black, white, lined up (some got there as early as 4pm) for a chance to get their hands on the shoes which weren’t being sold until midnight. This not only happened in ATL but at sneaker spots all across the county. It was reported in the news that there were even small riots in places like Houston, Texas. Jordan, Cool Greys, etc. all became Trending Topics on the social media website Twitter. There was even SO much traffic on NikeStore.com around midnight that it caused the site to crash momentarily. WOW! No one sneaker should all that Power!

While sneaker heads waited to buy the shoes at midnight, The Shoe Game held raffles, DJ D-Cas keep the vibe festive, and sneaker heads, artists, managers, etc all got their network on. Shouts to G-Roc and Calvin from The Shoe Game not only on celebrating 4 Years, but being a positive force in the ATL sneaker community. Also shouts to DJ Greg Street, CyHi Da Prynce, Young Joc, and everybody else who came out. I posted a couple pics below, check out more at The Shoe Game.

Nike Store Lenox Crew

The place was PACKED

Grand Opening… Grand Closing.
A before and after shot of the boxes in the stock room that housed the Jordan sneakers.

After all these years, Michael Jordan and Nike STILL have sneaker heads going CRAZY around the word. Camping out for limited releases, trading at events like Dunk Exchange, etc., and not even to mention the Re-Sale game industry that has been created over the years via bay and the forums.