WWD Weighs Which Unreleased Air Jordans Nike Should Release

· Beauty & Fashion · United States

WWD published a piece surveying nine unreleased Air Jordans that it argues Nike should actually bring to market. The article notes that there has recently been a lot of talk about releasing fewer Air Jordans, making the question of which pairs deserve a launch a live one for the sneaker business. The debate reflects broader tension in footwear: managing scarcity and brand heat against the revenue that retro releases reliably generate. For the industry, it highlights how release calendars and retro strategy remain central to Nike's Jordan Brand planning and to sneaker retail more broadly.

Why it matters：Retro release strategy is a core lever for Nike's Jordan Brand, and the debate over which pairs to release speaks to how sneaker makers balance scarcity with revenue.

Key points

  • WWD surveyed nine unreleased Air Jordan models.
  • The piece follows discussion of releasing fewer Air Jordans.
  • It frames the question around which pairs should actually come out.

Sources (original reporting)

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