The late night release of a new Nike Air Jordan basketball shoe caused a frenzy at stores across the nation Friday, including at two Oklahoma City malls.
Oklahoma City police were sent to Penn Square Mall about 7:30 a.m. where there were reports of a crowd of unruly teenagers. Another disturbance was reported at 6:30 a.m. Friday at Quail Springs Mall. No arrests were made.
Police used pepper spray on about 20 people at a mall near Seattle, while officers arrested at least four unruly shoppers in suburban Atlanta. A crowd of customers there broke down a door at a store selling the Air Jordans before it opened.
In Houston, fans started camping out as early as Monday for a chance to score the limited-release sneakers.
Edward Ledesma, 18, was the first in line at a Foot Locker in Houston. He had been waiting since Monday night.
“These are the shoes Michael Jordan used on the court,” Ledesma said. “They're limited editions.”
The shoes, originally released in 1995, are the latest in the Air Jordan XI line to be re-released. Enthusiasts like the shoes' patent leather coating and black-and-white color scheme. They retail for $180.
Audrie Thompson, general manager of Penn Square Mall, said the turnout for the shoe re-launch was overwhelming, even though they had extra security on hand.
“We are thankful for the support and assistance of the Oklahoma City Police Department who helped to monitor the crowds on property,” she said in a statement. “Now that the shoe release is successfully over, we are entirely focused on providing the best possible environment for our customers.”
Nike did not respond to an email request for comment by Friday's deadline.
An employee at the Nike outlet at The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City said it likely will be six months before the store gets the new shoes that caused an uproar nationwide on Friday.
Police used pepper spray on about 20 people at a mall near Seattle, while officers arrested at least four unruly shoppers in suburban Atlanta. A crowd of customers there broke down a door at a store selling the Air Jordans before it opened.
In Houston, fans started camping out as early as Monday for a chance to score the limited-release sneakers.
Edward Ledesma, 18, was the first in line at a Foot Locker in Houston. He had been waiting since Monday night.
“These are the shoes Michael Jordan used on the court,” Ledesma said. “They're limited editions.”
The shoes, originally released in 1995, are the latest in the Air Jordan XI line to be re-released. Enthusiasts like the shoes' patent leather coating and black-and-white color scheme. They retail for $180.
Audrie Thompson, general manager of Penn Square Mall, said the turnout for the shoe re-launch was overwhelming, even though they had extra security on hand.
“We are thankful for the support and assistance of the Oklahoma City Police Department who helped to monitor the crowds on property,” she said in a statement. “Now that the shoe release is successfully over, we are entirely focused on providing the best possible environment for our customers.”
Nike did not respond to an email request for comment by Friday's deadline.
An employee at the Nike outlet at The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City said it likely will be six months before the store gets the new shoes that caused an uproar nationwide on Friday.
Posted in: new air jordans, Nike, Nike Air Jordan
