It’s only February but Kanye West most certainly owns the biggest sneaker moment of 2022 so far. No, it wasn’t a new adidas Yeezy model or even him accepting a friends and family Air Jordan 3 “Father of Asahd” from DJ Khaled. It was the exchange he and Marcus Jordan shared on Instagram that started with Michael Jordan’s youngest son commenting on a photo of Ye and Khaled suggesting they get together with his “pops” to collaborate. Ye took to his own Instagram to share the comment along with a Jumpman logo, causing an immediate social media storm of sneakerheads losing their minds over the potential. There hadn’t been an official comment from the GOAT or a Jordan Brand spokesperson until today.
Longtime Jordan Brand executive Larry Miller appeared on Jay Willaims ‘The Limits’ podcast to discuss his new book Jump: My Secret Journey from the Streets to the Boardroom. The book follows the footwear industry legend’s journey from a 14-year prison sentence for murder to the top of the corporate world. Miller’s story of redemption, rehabilitation, and forgiveness is worth checking out in full and you can buy it here. The podcast also touches on the recent Kanye West x Jordan Brand storyline which Miller addresses pretty openly. Below are some excerpts:
Miller on Jordan Brand collaborating with Kanye West:
I would never say never. What Kanye has done with adidas is commendable. I think he’s an incredibly creative and talented person. I wish he had stayed with Nike, that would have been great. I don’t know that it will but I can’t say that it won’t happen. That we at some point would be able to do something with Kanye.”
Miller on what it takes to successfully partner with Kanye West:
You have to be willing and open to taking his input. But then you also have to be able to, from the other side, manage the expectations and limits that are there. Someone like Kanye may have this incredible idea that is fantastic. Taking that idea and making it a reality is something that could be much more of a challenge. It’s really figuring out how to marry that creativity with the reality of what can and can’t be done.”
While we don’t expect Ye’s extremely successful and lucrative partnership with adidas to come to an end anytime soon, he’s made it clear on numerous occasions that he wants to be wear and design Jordan Brand sneakers. And with the brand’s chairman and namesake’s son open to the idea, never say never.
Listen to the full interview here.