The Jordan 3 Retro Goes Chocolate With The Mocha 2018
Considered one of the most recognized sneakers of all time, the Air Jordan 3 introduced many firsts for the brand. First and foremost, Michael Jordan's third signature sneaker introduced the now-revered Jumpman logo—a silhouette of His Airness leaping through the air mid-dunk—that replaced the popular Wings logo found on the Jordan 1 and 2. It was a brand he could call his own, and a major selling point in his contract renewal with Nike.
The Air Jordan 3 also enlisted a new designer, Tinker Hatfield, already esteemed in the sneaker world and now considered a legend. Hatfield had designed the Air Max 1 and Air Trainer 1, so the introduction of visible Air technology into the Jordan line was a no-brainer. Hatfield worked closely with MJ to incorporate the superstar's vision into the designs. In addition to the Jumpman logo and visible Air, the Jordan 3 also introduced an eye-catching elephant skin print, softer leather and a mid-cut height—moving away from the then-trendy high-top style. The overall design borrows design elements from its famous predecessors, the Air Jordan 1 and 2.
How the Air Jordan III Almost Never Happen
There's the famous story of Michael Jordan almost signing with another brand, and then there's this one—where MJ almost ended his partnership with Nike. Jordan's original five-year deal with Nike yielded $500,000 per year, plus royalties, for a total estimated value of $7M. An early career injury in the Air Jordan 1—a broken foot—caused him to miss much of the '85-86 season and lose trust in Nike's ability to fulfill their promises. Jordan was looking for an out.
The meeting to present the new Air Jordan 3 was a make-or-break situation for the Nike x Jordan deal.
Tinker Hatfield played a significant role in keeping Michael on board, continually advocating for and protecting MJ's input in the design process. At a crucial meeting—the unveiling of the new Air Jordan 3 design—the Nike team reportedly waited four hours for Jordan to show up. It turns out he'd been on the golf course with new prospective partners. When MJ finally arrived, Hatfield knocked his socks off with the Air Jordan 3 prototype and an apparel line. And though it was Hatfield who saved the deal, Jordan's parents also influenced his decision, reportedly telling him that his actions were "embarrassing", recalling the influence they had on their son when he signed with the brand in the first place.
Jordan 3 Retro Mocha 2018
First released in 2001, the Jordan 3 Retro returned in 2018 to release the Mocha colorway. This mid-top design parallels the original Jordan 3 construction with its tumbled leather upper. This white upper is entirely white except for its accents. A Mocha-colored Jordan Brand Jumpman is positioned on both the padded toe and the heel of this design. The shoe's iconic heel and toe overlays are stamped in a Mocha and Black elephant print pattern. Mocha also finds its way to the top eyelets as well as on the bottom tread. The tiny diamond-shaped texture on the shoe's tread looks unique and allows for additional traction and grip. The Air Max cushion is visible through a transparent gel found on the back portion of the shoe's midsole.
Jordans Release Dates, News and Articles
Attention all sneakerheads and basketball fans! Read all about the oldest and latest Jordan releases on the eBay Sneaker Hub. From iconic retro styles to new collaborations, you'll find everything you need to know to complete your Jordan collection.