In the late ’80s and early ’90s, director and actor Spike Lee played the character Mars Blackmon in the cult classic Air Jordan Nike commercials alongside Michael Jordan. During a recent appearance on Complex’s Sneaker shoppingLee spoke about his ties to the Jordan brand, which allowed him to create his own design on the Air Jordan model that carried the name “Spizike”. The famous director explained his idea behind the sneaker to Complex host Joe La Puma.
The 67-year-old spoke about making shoes based on The color scheme of the Black Liberation Flag, which embodies the values you hold dear. He also mentioned how the original shoes had the Mars logo on the back, based on his character in the ads.
“I really wanted you to know the color of the flag, the Liberation Flag, red, black and green. The original I think had a Mars logo on the back here but this one has the Jumpman”Spike Lee told Joe La Puma.
The critically acclaimed director also highlighted how the shoes bore the logo of his 1983-founded production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. The sneaker is close to the iconic director’s heart considering it was the first sneaker designed from his ideas.
Speaking about future collaborations with Nike, Lee stated that his son Jackson Lee also has his line of Air Jordan shoes called “son of mars”. “Jackson is business-minded and amazing, so I handed him the baton.”he added.
The Hollywood celebrity then talked about wearing the gold-painted Air Jordan 3 designed by Tinker Hatfield during the 2019 Oscars. Since the Oscars are infused with 24-karat gold, this colorway made sense to Lee. Fittingly, famed actor Samuel L.
Jackson presented Lee with his first competitive Oscar award in the category of Best Adapted Screenplay for “negrokklansman”. Lee then talked about how he made the shoes with the designer’s help.
“Once I got the nomination, I put out the call. I called him [Tinker Hatfield]. It has to get Mike’s approval.[Michael Jordan]. Mike said, “Go ahead.” Sign out of it”Spike Lee revealed to Complex.
These Golden 3 shoes were the highlight of Lee’s outfit during the 2019 Academy Awards. Many were later baffled to learn that the Oscar winner had donated these shoes. So what is the truth behind the story?
Did Spike Lee donate his Oscar-themed shoes?
In 2023, Victor Deng of the complex reported how Lee’s gold-painted Air Jordan 3 sold for $50,000 at auction. Someone had donated the shoes to the Portland Rescue Mission’s Burnside Shelter. After verification of their authenticity by designer Tinker Hatfield, Sotheby’s put the shoes up for auction. This led to a question: why would Spike Lee give away the shoes that were part of one of his most precious memories?
During the interview with La Puma, Lee answered the question. She revealed that she has not given away the original pair she wore to the Oscars. Apparently, Hatfield had designed several pairs and one of them ended up in the donation bin.
“They weren’t mine. He had two or three, he only had one. The rest has never been used. They make a few more sizes. Somehow it ended up where it ended up and sold for $50,000,” revealed the director of BlacKkKlansman
The die-hard Knicks fan then revealed that the original pair he won during the Oscars is still on display. So after much suspense, he finally set the record straight about the gold Air Jordan 3 auction.
