Nike released its Air Jordan Retro 11 Concord sneakers today causing pandemonium all over the country. While some of hullabaloo over the $180 sneakers caused savage furors—those waiting to get a pair of the coveted shoes in White Plains did so without the violent hubbub.
White Plains police said they had to shut down the and Athlete’s Foot in , as well as the Foot Locker in after 8 a.m. when large crowds threatened to get rowdy.
Crowds were brought under control and there were no major issues, according to police. Police said the stores weren’t allowed to open this morning, but got the OK to open around noon.
In California, shots were fired outside a shopping mall where more than 1,000 sneakerheads were waiting online to be amongst the first to get the shoe, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Deadspin.com reported that police had to smash a car window to get two toddlers left in the car by a woman in Georgia who was trying to buy the Air Jordans. The website also included reports on police pepper spraying customers, customers breaking down doors, people being injured, as well as fights and stampedes during the nationwide melee. Read the full story here.
Bleacher Report said Nike released a statement expressing its regret over the mass chaos caused by the release of their shoe at retail location, saying that “safety and security is of paramount importance.” Nike also asked its customers to act in a civilized manner when shopping. About 56 percent of those who voted on the website’s poll said that the company should change its shoe release policies, believing it was the cause of the bedlam nationwide.
Outside the retail outlets the Retro 11 Concord—modeled after the 1996 pair of sneakers designed for then-Chicago Bull Michael Jordan—is selling for as high as $800 on websites like eBay.
