Drawing inspiration from a special edition of Life magazine dating back to the summer of 1984, Joe Freshgoods imagines an alternate reality where basketball icon Michael Jordan signed with New Balance instead of Nike almost four decades ago. This imaginative endeavor has given birth to the New Balance 650 "Stuntman," a collaborative project that breathes new life into an untold chapter of MJ's sneaker history.
The pivotal source of inspiration for this endeavor is a captivating photograph taken by Jacobus Rentmeester, portraying a young Jordan in mid-flight. This iconic image served as the foundation for the legendary Jumpman logo and even led to Rentmeester's lawsuit against Nike. In the snapshot, Jordan is seen sporting a pair of white New Balance sneakers, a chapter of his footwear history that has remained relatively uncharted until now. Freshgoods, delving into the depths of nostalgia, has meticulously recreated the New Balance 650 in a color scheme reminiscent of the very pair Michael Jordan once sported during the 1980s.
The collaborative effort is abundantly marked with co-branding, with the familiar "650" embroidery on the lateral quarter panel making way for the distinct "JFG" lettering. This exclusive release is limited to a mere 500 pairs, each individually hand-numbered by Freshgoods himself. What sets this venture apart is its packaging, described by JFG as more of an "art project" than a conventional sneaker release.
The Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 650 "Stuntman" is slated for a release on Saturday, September 9th via New Balance with an estimated price tag of $165. For more release information and the latest New Balance news, follow us on Instagram and Twitter.