Jordan Brand brings back the Air Jordan 9 Retro OG Space Jam, returning to the White, Black and True Red colorway first introduced with the silhouette in 1993. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the AJ9 gained its familiar nickname after Michael Jordan wore the colorway in the 1996 film Space Jam.
SNEAKERS
The Air Jordan 9 arrived during Jordan’s first retirement from professional basketball, following his first three-championship run with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan left the NBA in 1993 and pursued baseball, giving the AJ9 a distinct place within his signature series. He never wore the original model during an NBA game, though the sneaker remained closely tied to his career during that period.
Hatfield shaped the AJ9 around Jordan’s expanding international profile. The silhouette introduced a streamlined upper, a speed-lacing system and a sculpted sole that separated it from earlier Air Jordan models. Its outsole carries multilingual words associated with ideas such as independence, freedom, athleticism and force, reflecting the global reach surrounding Jordan at the time.
Nike introduced four original AJ9 colorways in 1993, including the White, Black and True Red edition returning here. The combination uses white through the main upper, black around the lower sections and True Red for smaller branding details. The palette became one of the model’s best-known original configurations.
The Space Jam association arrived three years later. Jordan wore the white, black and red AJ9 in the film, and the appearance gave the colorway a second identity beyond its original retail release. Collectors later adopted the “Space Jam” nickname, linking the sneaker permanently with the 1996 movie.
The current retro stays close to the familiar OG design. White leather covers the upper, while black synthetic nubuck wraps the lower portion of the shoe. True Red details appear throughout the branding. The sneaker retains the AJ9’s speed-lacing system, padded construction, heel pull tab and sculpted outsole.
Underfoot, Nike Air cushioning supports the foam midsole, while the rubber outsole carries the multilingual graphics that have defined the model since its debut. Those details remain among the most recognizable elements of the AJ9 and continue Hatfield’s original design concept.
The White, Black and True Red AJ9 has returned in several retro editions since 1993, including releases in 2002, 2008, 2010 and 2016. The 2008 edition appeared within the Countdown Pack series, while the 2016 version arrived during the year of Space Jam’s 20th anniversary.
The Air Jordan 9 Retro OG Space Jam releases on September 19, 2026, in a full family-size run. Adult pairs retail for $215, Big Kids’ sizing costs $165, Little Kids’ pairs retail for $105, and Baby/Toddler sizing costs $90.
Name: Air Jordan 9 Retro OG Space Jam
Colorway: White/True Red-Black
SKU: IX6179-100
Price: 215 USD
Release Date: September 19
Available at: Nike and select retailers
