It’s been rumored since last September and after an early launch at NBA All-Star Weekend, Michael Jordan’s historic Air Jordan 12 Retro “Flu Game” sneaker is finally set to return to retail.
Clad in a Chicago Bulls-themed color combination, the “Flu Game” Air Jordan 12 is one of the most lore-laden sneakers in the long-running line. What would have been a simple Bulls colorway was thrust into legendary territory during Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals on June 11, 1997. While facing the Utah Jazz in a tied series, Jordan played through severe sickness which has been chalked up to food poisoning or the flu — hence the sneaker’s nickname.
Despite being under the weather, Jordan played for nearly the entire duration with 44 minutes, tallying more time than any other player in Game 5, which the Bulls won by just two points with a final score of 90-88. Jordan led the game in scoring (38 points) and steals (three), while tying teammate Scottie Pippen with a game-high five assists. And even if Jordan had been at full capacity, the game would have likely gone down as one of his all-time greatest performances.
Last seen in stores in 2016, the Air Jordan 12 Retro “Flu Game” is among the most iconic styles in Michael Jordan’s vast archive of signature sneakers. Standing the test of time over the decades since its 1997 debut, the all-leather black-and-red shoe has been met with prompt sell-throughs during each of its retro relaunches.
It first reappeared in 2003 followed by a revamp in 2009 which replaced the sneaker’s leather with suede and added “Flu Game”-inspired details. For this 2025 iteration, Jordan Brand has given the sneaker its original “Black and Varsity Red” nomenclature and only alludes to the “Flu Game” story in its product description.
The Air Jordan 12 Retro “Flu Game” will officially be released Saturday, March 1 at 10 a.m. ET from SNKRS and will also be available from select Jordan Brand retailers. Adult sizes are priced at $210 with a SKU of CT8013-002, and the classic sneaker will also come in little kids ($100) and toddler ($85) sizing.
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