John Kim 
Today, the power-lacing NIke Mag was finally made available to the public via a digital “draw”. Those interested in obtaining a pair of the Mag could only do so by entering the lottery by purchasing $10 tickets, with all proceeds going toward the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. As a tribute to the year Back To The Future II released in theaters, only 89 pairs will be given out through the random drawing on October 17th.
Without question, the power-lacing Nike Mag is the most significant sneaker release in history, and it technically did not “release” in the standard way us sneakerheads are used to. Even the 2011 version, the one that did not feature power-lacing, was made available through eBay auctions over a ten-day span, with 1,500 pairs up for grabs. The auctions in total brought in over $4.7 million for charity, which was a major success.
After all, this is why the Nike Mag, both in 2011 and 2016, was made available. It wasn’t to fulfill a sneakerhead’s desire or to complete a BTTF fanatic’s accumulation of film memorabilia. It was to serve ONE purpose and one purpose only – to benefit Parkinson’s Disease research.
Since Nike’s official announcement at 10 AM EST, many have already voiced their dismay at how limited the shoes are, or how this “draw” procedure seems like malarkey, or whatever. But guess what – this shoe is bigger than you, than all of us. It was a concept car that became a reality because the impact it could have is far more significant than fulfilling a childish need. It could literally change the lives of the million who suffer from the disease and the 60,000 new cases that show up every year.
So how much can 89 pairs through $10 entry tickets (unlimited, might I add), raise? This is like…the Powerball Lottery of sneakers, so there’s no question that people will be coming out of the woodworks to purchase draw tickets. Let’s assume that 500,000 entries are confirmed. That would roughly match the 2011 pot at $5 million, roughly “valuing” each pair at just over $56,000. The best part is, your $10 is going toward a great cause that could use the awareness and the funds, so there is no loser here.
I can’t have the Mag, and there’s no way of securing a pair for myself, but that’s totally fine with me. Part of the magic of sneaker culture is that the unattainable still exists, and I’d rather keep that alive than stack another box on top of the pile.
The “draw” for the Nike Mag begins today and ends on October 11th. Winners will be notified on October 17th.
All proceeds will go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Photography courtesy of Nike Communications.
