Jordan Brand’s Palais 23 Looks Forward By Honoring Jordan History

Jordan Brand is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the expansive Palais 23 installment at Palais de Tokyo in Paris.

To ring in the installment’s opening, Michael Jordan, Nike VP of Design and Special Projects Tinker Hatfield, and Jordan Brand Senior Creative Director of Innovation Mark Smith were on hand among the the select attendees who’ve played key roles in the growth of the brand through the years.

Michael Jordan’s 1985 and 1997 visits to Paris provided a professional and personal backdrop for the Palais 23 venture.

“It’s good to be back in Paris,” Jordan said through Nike.com. “I played out here in 1997 and it was the best time I had playing in Europe. I did the tourist thing with my family, saw the Eiffel Tower and my family got to see me play here.”

Palais 23 brings fans right into Jordan Brand history with features that allow fans to match up their speed and jumping ability against Jordan Brand athletes Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin and Russell Westbrook, as well as mimic Michael Jordan with a “Last Shot” interactive experience that replicates moments Jordan’s career.

During Jordan Brand’s opening presentation introduced by brand president Larry Miller, ESPN’s Michelle Beadle stepping into hosting duties with Jordan, Hatfield, and Smith delved into the brand’s journey from Nike stalwart, to its own brand entity in 1997, to building out lasting product well beyond Jordan’s playing days.

“You get inspired. You get inspired by his personality, the grace of the game and how smart he is,” Hatfield said. “I still get inspired. He’s the greatest basketball player I’ve ever seen, but he’s also the greatest athlete I’ve ever worked with.”

Fans can visit the Palais 23 installment, located at 13 Avenue du Président Wilson, through Sunday, June 14th. Find more details at jordan30paris.com.

Visuals of today’s launch below. For detailed photos from inside Palais 23, click here.