Introduction

On April 1, 1985, the Nike corporation began selling its most famous shoe ever -- the Air Jordan. In a few months time, the Air Jordan logo was known around the world. How was this possible? And, what were the results?

Assignment

You are to write a succinct review Walter Lafeber's book, Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism.

Primary Sources

The Air Jordan Shoes [ link ] -- click on the Air Jordan symbol; then click on the link for Air Jordan shoe.

Mars Blackmon Commericals with Spike Lee [ link ] [ link ] [ link ] [ link ]

This American Life, "Meet the Pros," Act One. Crispy with the Rock. [ link ]

The story of two amateurs meeting the pros. One is a teenager in New Jersey; the other, our reporter. Joel Lovell visits 19-year-old Luis Da Silva, one of the stars of a popular series of Nike commercials featuring professional and amateur basketball players doing dribbling tricks. Luis didn't even start for his high school basketball team. (17 minutes)

Luis "TRIKZ" da silva in Nike Freestyle commercial [ link ]

Nike sweatshop interviews with consumers [ link ]

Nike, Inc. v. Kasky (2002) [ overview ] [ decision ] [ oral argument ] [ documents ]

Secondary Sources

- Walter Lafeber, Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism (W.W. Norton, 2002).

Available Resources

This Land is Your Land: Documentary film [ overview ] [ website ]