20 Interesting Sneaker Facts You Don't Remember

Did you know? Did you know? Did you know?

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Some things are common knowledge among sneakerheads. For example, Q. Who's silhouhette is in the Jumpman logo? A. Michael Jordan. But, it's a little-known fact that the inspiration for that logo is actually Michael Jordan doing a ballet pose. The more we learn about the world of sneakers, the better informed about the context of why certain sneakers are important. It's good to brush up on sneaker knowledge, and not care if you're referred to as a sneaker geek. It's actually a compliment.

There's a lot more tidbits within sneaker lore that the average head might not be aware of. Here are 20 Interesting Sneaker Facts You Don't Remember.

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Jordache made kicks.

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Coach John Wooden had a sneaker deal.

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Clyde Frazier had a sneaker deal with Spalding.

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The original Top 10 for the adidas Top 10 were ..

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The New Balance 996 was the first running sneaker to cost $100 when it dropped in 1981.

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Before lacing up for Adidas, Kareem Abdul Jabbar rocked Pro-Keds.

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The initial design inspiration for the Air Jordan XI was a sock.

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The Air Max Sensation is actually the Air Max CW, which stands for Chris Webber.

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Time named Nike's "Freestyle" commercial the best of the year in 2001.

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The commerical starred the likes of Vince Carter, Darius Miles and Bobbito Garcia. The commercial featured the rise of streetball and interest in highly-skilled ball-handling skills. More than a few ankles were broken with these moves.

Nike Shox were inspired by shock absorders in high performance automobiles.

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Derek Anderson was the first athlete signed to Jordan Brand.

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The Air Pippen II is a classic in more ways than one.

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MJ's original TV commercials featured very little dialouge from the rising star.

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The Jordan "Wings" poster is the best selling in Nike's history.

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Nike almost wasn't down with the idea of Air Max.

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Jordan Brand's Jumpman logo is actually His Airness doing a ballet pose.

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The first Nike air unit weighed how much?

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Before Jordan, there was Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks.

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The average selling price for a pair of men's sneakers last year was $68.80.

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Lil Wayne joined Supra through his friendship with skater Stevie Williams.

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