Nike’s golf business once depended on Tiger Woods. Now the company is hoping the good run it has had with basketball legend Michael Jordan will translate to the greens.
This week, the company, which has battled an industrywide slump in golf sales and a publicity surge for Under Armour-sponsored player Jordan Spieth, debuted a golf shoe that’s a tribute to Michael Jordan’s love for the links.
The Beaverton, Ore.-based company launched the Air Jordan VI Retro Golf Shoe, selling for $225.
The shoes come in two colorways: a black-and-white combination, and one in white and infrared.
According to the athletic giant, the limited-edition shoe was “inspired by Jordan’s competitive spirit” and “brings audacious style and energy to the course.”
The shoes feature a waterproof all-leather upper. The midsole is lightweight and the forefoot has a plate to stabilize the foot during swing rotation. The bottom of the midsole, also displays the Jumpman logo to “add an additional hit of brand DNA.”
Whether the new golf shoe inspires amateur players to be like Mike remains to be seen.
Figures continue to reflect waning interest in the sport. The millennial population, in particular, has been shying away from the expensive, time-consuming game, while boomers are starting to age out of the sport.
