FACT: The Air Jordan 1 is my favorite shoe. There’s a rich history behind this sneaker. Breaking NBA uniform rules, the subsequent ban from the NBA, the $5000 per game fine, Michael Jordan’s first dunk contest and dropping 63 on the Boston Celtics… but did you know that this shoe ended up on clearance racks and second-hand stores during its original run (and first retro run too)?

Rumors of a collaboration between Nike SB and Jordan brand have run wild since the release of the Bones Brigade: An Autobiography film in 2012 (link). Nike officially released information today and the collaboration is set to release March 15, 2014. Teaser images have leaked featuring team Nike rider Paul Rodriguez reminiscent of MJ’s original 1985 rooftop photoshoot. I honestly can’t wait to see what comes out of this but I hope it is definitely something special!

It’s no secret the Air Jordan 1 was a favorite among skaters in the late 1980’s. It was cheap, came in several different colorways and hugged the ankle so well during runs. Modern Notoriety covers the significance of the AJ1 in skating (link). Members of the Bones Brigade skateboarding team, in particular, were frequently photographed in the popular sihouette.

Before you say, “Hey dude, this is mainstream news…”  I beg to differ. It’s a definite triumph for otaku. Skateboarding was viewed similarly to nerd culture in the 1980’s. It was still a small sub-culture without mainstream appeal. To me, this is no different than bringing back retro franchises from our childhoods. As a fan of both the Bones Brigade and Michael Jordan growing up, it’s a dream come true to see the recognition of the Air Jordan 1 for skateboarding. It’s further proof that otaku/nerd culture is growing beyond original perception into the public eye.

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Nike SB and Jordan Brand are trademarks of Nike. Bones Brigade is directed by Stacy Peralta (Peralta-Powell Skateboards). Article link via Modern Notoriety.