Nike is decrying the shopping frenzies and subsequent police arrests over the release of its Air Jordan XI shoes Friday.
"We are extremely concerned to hear of the reported crowd incidents around the launch of the Air Jordan XI at some select retail locations," said Brian Facchini, spokesman for Nike's Jordan brand in a statement Friday night. "Consumer safety and security is of paramount importance. We encourage anyone wishing to purchase our product to do so in a respectful and safe manner."
The retail launch of the retro version of one of the most popular Air Jordans kicks ever sparked mayhem across the country two days before Christmas. The shoes retail for around $180. But that didn't stop Black Friday-like sneaker madness as consumers pushed, fought and trampled each other over the shoes.
In Indianapolis, shoppers stormed a mall, trampling fellow consumers and ripping a door off its hinges. In Seattle, police used pepper spray on about 20 shoppers fighting over the shoes. A man was stabbed in a brawl over the shoes in Jersey City, N.J. He's expected to recover.
VIDEO: Shopper trample each other over Air Jordan shoes
Former NBA superstar Michael Jordan wore his his signature Air Jordan XI's during his championship 1995-96 season, when he won the All-Star MVP, NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP. The retro version that's causing all the commotion is being sold in a black/white color scheme.
Here's ABC News' report of shoppers storming a mall in Indianapolis that shows shoppers trampling each other to get at the shoes:
About Reid and Mike
Reid Cherner has been with USA TODAY since 1982 and written Game On! since March 2008.
He has covered everything from high schools to horse racing to the college and the pros. The only thing he likes more than his own voice is the sound of readers telling him when he's right and wrong.
Michael Hiestand has covered sports media and marketing for USA TODAY, tackling the sports biz ranging from what's behind mega-events such as the Olympics and Super Bowl to the sometimes-hidden numbers behind the sports world's bottom line.
