“I’m Back” - Union L.A & Nike’s Long-Awaited Jordan 1 High Sequel is Finally Releasing

Published: February 23, 2025By: Charlie Tyas
union-air-jordan-1-im-back-release-date

After rumblings all throughout 2024 that one of the most sought-after modern Jordan releases would be making a return, official details have now surfaced confirming the release of the upcoming Union LA x Nike Air Jordan 1 High “Chicago Shadow”.

Union LA’s initial meeting with the Jordan Brand in 2018 marked the beginning of what would become an insanely fruitful partnership between two respective cultural forces, giving way for sought after collaborations working on the Jordan 1, 4 and 2.

It just so happens that Union’s first Jordan release is also its most coveted, with the initial two colourways of their mishmash Air Jordan 1 still fetching well over $1k USD on the resale market today.

Union last linked up with Jordan in 2023, when owner Chris Gibbs and his wife Beth decided to fuse the Nike Footscape’s iconic braided detailing with the stalwart Jordan 1.

Considering their previous Jordan collab didn’t reach the same cultural heights of its predecessors, Union has gone back to drawing board and returned with a can’t-lose formula of applying two of the Jordan 1’s most iconic colourways to its signature “frankenstein” take on the 40-year old design.

The latest project is dubbed “I’m Back” as reference to a publicity stunt from 1995 when Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA with those same two words.

Featuring from the ankle down is the Jordan 1’s recognisable “Chicago” red colouring, where the stitched collar takes on a grey/ black “Shadow” appearance that’s borrowed from the same pair worn by Michael Jordan at a charity game in 1985.

The exposed stitching from the initial release remains, finished with a signature yellow “Union” tag and exposed foam tongue.

The Union LA x Nike Air Jordan 1 High “Chicago Shadow” is slated to release on February 27th via the joint Union x Jordan Website. Expected retail price is $200 USD.

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