\n2009 was definitely a great year to be a sneaker lover! Not only were the majority of the sneaker releases exceptional (“Space Jam”, Air Yeezy, etc.) but sneaker-related stories undoubtedly dominated 2009 (Marcus Jordan, DJ AM).<\/p>\nWith that said, our staff compiled a list of sneaker stories that remained at the forefront of sneaker enthusiasts’ minds throughout the year. There were many more than nine stories; however, staying with the theme of the year, we narrowed it down to this specific number.<\/p>\n
Hit the jump to view the Top 9 Sneaker Stories of ’09<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/p>\n
9. Nike’s Tribute to Bo Jackson \n<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\nNike Air Trainer SC "Bo Jackson Raiders" <\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNike Air Trainer SC Total Orange<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNike Air Trainer III "Medicine Ball"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNike Air Trainer II "Bo Jackson"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWas there a more all-around athlete than Bo Jackson? To this day, he undoubtedly defines the word ‘athlete’ to many. In honor of the 20-year anniversary of the ‘Bo Knows’ Campaign, Nike decided to release an abundance of sneakers that Bo Jackson made famous. Sneakers such as the Air Trainer SC, the Nike Air Trainer II and the Nike Air Trainer III showed their faces this year in their original colorways. Nike also released a few kicks that were inspired by ‘Tecmo Bo’ Jackson including the Blazer,? the Sky Force and the Trainer 1. Definitely, the best tribute of 2009! \n<\/p>\n
8. Reebok Pump “Bringback” & Reebok Pump 20 Program \n<\/strong><\/p>\nReebok Pump Bringback<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nReebok Pump Bringback<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nReebok Pump 20 Program<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n[HTML1]<\/p>\n
Reebok did some very big things throughout the latter half of 2009 to say the least. To celebrate the PUMP’s 20th Anniversary, Reebok brought back the orignal sneaker that started it all, the Reebok PUMP. This shoe was not only an innovative design, it was backed by a second-to-none marketing campaign. Speaking of marketing campaigns, Reebok’s idea of bringing the PUMP to light by hooking up with many stores\/boutiques was unique and refreshing.<\/p>\n
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7. DJ AM’s Death, Charity Auction, and the DJ AM x Nike? Dunk \n<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\nDJ AM x Nike Dunk High Premium<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFukiyama x UNDFTD x Nike Air Force 1 "Entourage"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nhttpv:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=IZucLtk9_jA<\/p>\n
DJ AM’s death was very tragic to say the least. The world lost a great person, disc jockey and sneaker enthusiasts. AM’s sneaker colleciton was out of this world as shown in his ongoing charity auction. It’s also sad that he could not be around to see his collaborative effort with Nike on the Dunk. R.I.P. DJ AM.<\/p>\n
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6. LIVESTRONG x Nike Stages Collection \n<\/strong><\/p>\n\nLance Armstrong x Nike Stages Collection – Air Max 180, Air Max 1, Air Max 90<\/em><\/p>\n\nLance Armstrong x Nike Stages Collection – LunaRacer & Lunar Everyday<\/em><\/p>\n\nLance Armstrong x Nike Stages Collection – Hideout Woven Footscape, Futura Dunk, Mister Cartoon Air Force 1, Busy P & SOME Air Force 1<\/em><\/p>\n\nLance Armstrong x Nike Stages Collection – The Cutters<\/em>\n<\/p>\nThe LIVESTRONG x Nike Stages release was easily the best colleciton of shoes in 2009. Better yet, it was one of the better series of sneakers we have seen this decade. The majority of you will agree that we never grew tired of the black\/yellow color scheme most of these shoes possessed. This was definitely a fantastic ode to the best cyclist in the world, Lance Armstrong.<\/p>\n
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5. Nike Basketball MVPuppets \n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n \n<\/span>\n<\/p>\nLil Penny came and went. The LeBrons was a fantastic campaign as well. Nike Fun Police was another one that made us laugh. However the debut of the MVPuppets during the 2009 playoffs kept most of us seated during the timeouts. Nike Basketball easily won the best advertising campaign series with these two characters. Don’t forget about Lil’ Dez either.<\/p>\n
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4. Marcus Jordan Controversy with Adidas & Jordan Brand \n<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\nMarcus Jordan wearing the Air Jordan 11 Space Jam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMarcus Jordan wearing the Air Jordan 11 Space Jam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \n<\/span><\/p>\nMarcus Jordan found himself at the center of brand battle between Jordan Brand and Adidas. Marcus Jordan decided to sign a letter of intent to play basketball at the University of Central Florida, an Adidas brand school. Adidas wanted Marcus to wear Adidas sneakers like everybody else on the team; however, Marcus wanted to represent the family company by sporting his dad’s shoes. Who was wrong in this situation? Should Marcus be allowed to sport his dad’s sneakers or should he have abided by the regulations of the school’s contract with Adidas.<\/p>\n
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3. Dwyane Wade to Jordan Brand \n<\/strong><\/p>\nMichael Jordan & Dwyane Wade unveiling the Air Jordan 2010<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
Dwyane Wade attacking the rim in the Air Jordan Alpha 1<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nNever has there been such a bigger basketball player on Jordan Brand since….well Michael Jordan himself. Having already locked up the likes of Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Joe Johnson and others, Jordan Brand snagged ‘Flash’ away from Converse during the summer of 2009. He easily became the face of Jordan Brand basketball and is a big part of the innovative Air Jordan 2010 campaign.<\/p>\n
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2. The Return of the Air Jordan 11 Retro “Space Jam” \n<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n
Some people bypassed several releases just to save up their money for the “Space Jam” Air Jordan 11 Retro. Word that this sneaker was coming back at the end of the year spread like wildfire; consequently, this shoe became the most talked about release in a very long time. Obviously, camp outs and extensive lines propelled this shoe to be our number 2 sneaker story of 2009.<\/p>\n
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1. Nike Air Yeezy Release \n<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n
Was there a more highly-anticipated release than the Nike Air Yeezy? Throughout 2008, a plethora of photos surfaced on the web that left our mouths watering for this special release. When the first colorway finally released, it was one of, if not the most sought-after shoe of this year. Therefore, the Nike Air Yeezy is easily the top sneaker story of 2009!<\/p>\n
What sneaker releated story caught your attention in 2009?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
2009 was definitely a great year to be a sneaker lover! Not only were the majority of the sneaker releases…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":149,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1225537],"cultivate_rss":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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