News; Basketball needed Nike Air

Basketball needed Nike Air. Getting it onto the court, though, was no mean feat.

Three years--and when the nike air force

ones hit the hardwood in 1982, the shoe brought distinction to the

professional game. Despite success with the "Original Six," Nike threatened to

discontinue the AF1 in 1984. The people of Baltimore, led by three retailers, stepped

in and altered history. In that moment, ownership of the
nike air force one transferred to all

those who would wear it.