Jordan Brand Announces ‘I’m Back’ In Golf With Air Rev Shoe

Like Michael Jordan’s infamous fax during the 1994-95 NBA season announcing his triumphant return to the Chicago Bulls, Jordan Brand proclaimed “I’m back” with its return to golf, highlighted by the innovative Air Rev shoe.

Unveiled at Jordan’s private Florida golf course, The Grove XXIII, on April 14, the Air Rev harnesses Nike’s Air technology in a new and innovative way for both Nike and Jordan Brand.

The golf shoe features a moveable Air Zoom unit inserted into a pouch on the sidewall of the trail/back foot intended to provide appropriate pressure on the swing. Complemented by the brand’s Formula23 foam on the lead/front foot to deliver cushioned stability, the Air Rev is all about promoting optimal rotational velocity and clubhead speed based on how a golfer moves during a swing, especially in the transition from backswing to downswing.

“It’s something that only we can do as a brand that’s unlocked by one of our oldest and most tried and true technologies—just used in a different way,” Nike men’s sport footwear director Matt Plumb said. “We do see this as an opportunity as a technology platform we can stand on for multiple years, and there’s other versions that we could potentially work through.”

Rather than converting classic silhouettes and models like the Air Jordan 1 Low, Air Jordan 14 and Jordan NU Retro 1 into golf footwear, the brand believes its Air Rev will be revolutionary—giving the model name a double meaning which also stands for rotational energy velocity.

The moveable Air Zoom unit is one of the components that comprise the Air Rev’s entire Flight Lock technology system, which inspires to provide golfers with comfort and stability on the course, especially during a swing. A proprietary dial-lacing system is wrapped under an eye-catching leno weave strap to provide personalized cushioning and containment.

Approximately eight years in the making, the Air Rev also features varying forms and sizes of spikes based on pressure-mapping data taken from athletes during testing, designed to keep the shoe lightweight without sacrificing stability and traction.

Rather than manufacturing shoes for left- and right-handed golfers, the Air Zoom unit and Formula23 foam can be swapped to fit any preference and need.

“We’ve always known Air as something in our shoe—sometimes you can feel it, push on it or see it,” Plumb said. “But we’ve never given the athlete Air and said, ‘Do something with it.’”

Available for $250 beginning May 14 at jordan.com and select retail partners in North America, the Air Rev is the focal point of Jordan Brand’s return to golf.

A new line of Jordan Brand golf apparel featuring performance and casual mocknecks, polos, shorts, pants and more in Carolina blue, black, brown and khaki colors will be available this summer.

With golf expanding, diversifying and getting younger, Jordan Brand aspires to speak to the game’s growing demos through fashion, innovation, community and culture, while maintaining the threadline expected of its eponymous founder to make athletes better.

According to the National Golf Foundation, 28.1 million Americans played golf on a course in 2024—the most since 2008—while another estimated 19 million exclusively played off-course forms of the game. Of the 28.1 million who played on-course golf last year, 28% were female and 25% were Black, Asian or Hispanic—both representing the highest proportions ever recorded.

“We have a unique position in golf because we have a unique position in culture in general,” Jordan Brand president Sarah Mensah said. “The game of golf is experiencing a Renaissance, and we have a unique role to play inviting new customers to the game.”