Quick Facts
- Jordan Brand is re-releasing the original Air Jordan 9 colorway
- Michael Jordan never wore them in the NBA, but he did lace them up in the movie "Space Jam"
- The last time the pair was released was in 2016
- Expect a release September 19, 2026 in men's and GS sizing
- Retail is set at $215 (men) and $165 (GS)
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OGs always reign supreme in the sneaker world. This rings especially true for Jordan Brand, which continually reaches back into the vault to bring back original sneakers that Michael Jordan himself wore during his playing days. Well, technically the sneaker we’re discussing today wasn’t worn by MJ in NBA action, but he did rock the Air Jordan 9 OG in his most famous silver screen appearance.
The caveat is that during Jordan’s well-documented first retirement, in which he would play Minor League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox organization, Nike released the Air Jordan 9. Because of this, MJ never laced up the sneaker for an NBA game during its original run in 1994. Two years later, Jordan starred in the Warner Bros. classic “Space Jam” where he would team up with the Looney Tunes to save planet Earth by joining the Toon Squad and defeating the Monstars in a game of basketball. Everyone remembers the Air Jordan 11 colorway he wore in the film, but he also wore the Air Jordan 9 in its original white, black, and true red colorway.
As mentioned above, the Air Jordan 9 OG was originally released during the sneaker’s 1994 run and features a clean white leather upper, black suede, and red accents on branding details. Following this drop in ‘94, Jordan Brand would retro the colorway in 2002 and then once again in 2008 as part of the Countdown Pack alongside an Air Jordan 14. Another re-release took place in 2010, but it wouldn’t be until the 2016 retro (the last time the sneaker hit shelves) that Jordan Brand would give it the “Space Jam” moniker.
This time around, the Space Jam Jordan 9 comes in a special co-branded box featuring Space Jam branding and references to the Tune Squad. Once you open the galaxy-covered box with a Tune Squad logo on the lid, a Space Jam and Jumpman 30th anniversary logo is found atop a photo of the gym from the film.
Text below reads "In 1996, the film Space Jam united two icons — Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny — in a cultural moment that defined a generation. The AJ9 and AJ11, both featured on screen, became legends in their own right. Now, 30 years later, Jordan Brand celebrates the film's enduring legacy and MJ's timeless impact with the return of these classic silhouettes."
The Air Jordan 9 Retro OG Space Jam will be released September 19, 2026 through Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Available in men’s and GS sizing, the retail price is set at $215 and $165, respectively. Check below for images of the 2016 retro, and download the Sole Retriever mobile app for real-time alerts on the latest drops, restocks, and raffles.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com
