Michael Jordan's Shattered Backboard Story Inspires Fall 2025 Nike T-Shirts

The date is August 26, 1985. Huey Lewis & The News' "The Power of Love" is the top song on U.S. music charts; President Ronald Reagan contemplates punitive actions to curb the influx of counterfeit products from Taiwan; and a fifth West German government employee is identified as a probable East German spy.

Over in Trieste, Italy, a young Michael Jordan shatters a backboard's glass during a Nike-sponsored tour following his NBA rookie season.

The legend of His Airness' glass-breaking dunk had long been forgotten by the masses, falling victim to time. Ahead of Summer 2015, however, the folks over at Jordan Brand found it imperative to tell this story to its target audience—13 to 25-year-old sneaker enthusiasts who hadn't been born by the time number 23 had entered the League. What better way to recount the tale than via a special edition Air Jordan 1?

The Shattered Backboard retro coincided with the event's 30th anniversary. Over the years, a number of orange-and-black-colored footwear has been developed with the same backstory, showcasing Nike, Inc.'s understanding of the series' value.

The original Air Jordan 1 "Shattered Backboard" pair is set to return during July 2025, a decade after its debut. The reissue also coincides with the 40th anniversaries of both Jordan Brand and MJ's backboard-shattering play.

To further celebrate the occasions, the Oregon-based team has prepped two oversized t-shirts depicting Jordan's dunk. Offered in faded black and off-white, the graphic tees are set to release via Nike.com/Jordan before summer ends.

Keep an eye on the web store to secure your sizes, and continue ahead to learn the history of Michael Jordan's Shattered Backboard moment.

Following his rookie season, in which he averaged 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists; was named Rookie of the Year; and made the All-NBA Second Team, Jordan traveled overseas as part of a Nike-sponsored exhibition tour. During the trip, the Chicago Bulls guard found himself in northeastern Italy playing for local club, Stefanel Trieste.

Set to face Juve Caserta, MJ warmed up with his one-time teammates while wearing the club's orange-and-black uniforms and Air Jordans on feet.

Although an exhibition match, His Airness put on a spectacle for those in attendance. Behind-the-back passes, baseline layups, and field goals from deep were all part of Jordan's toolkit against the Italian team. Yet, no move had the impact of a later-game dunk—one that resulted with shattered glass at one end of the court.

"The backboard exploded," shared Howard White, Vice President of Jordan Brand, in a press release ahead of the launch of a "Shattered Backboard" Air Jordan 1 and Air Jordan 31 in 2016. "I’m looking at [Michael's] eyes, his ears...looking for little bits of glass. In the moment, it was wild. It was a little scary, because we didn’t know where the glass was going. They were playing and then there was that moment. I don’t know of any moment where one can detect something otherworldly has happened, but that one has become something grand. For MJ, though, it was just a moment in the game."

Michael Jordan ended the night with 30 points and a highlight reel that's left a lasting impact on his legacy.

Nike, Inc.'s impending tees feature two graphics—one on the left chest and the other on the back. Both images depict number 23 flying in the air, dunking a basketball with one hand with enough force to shatter the backboard's glass. The front graphic is accompanied by an orange Jumpman logo, whereas the back's boasts 1985 and Air Jordan messaging as well.

There's no telling what Jordan Brand's 50th and future anniversaries will entail, but it's likely the eponymous imprint will continue to tell MJ's Shattered Backboard story for years to come.

For more from the Swoosh conglomerate, check out the expansive Nike Air Max catalog.