If you’ve ever seen a Chicago Bulls game in person or on TV, chances are you’ve seen Benny the Bull dancing around the sidelines. One of the oldest mascots in the NBA, the bright red bull is beloved by Chicago fans and players.
On July 2, the Air Jordan 14 Retro pays homage to the Windy City’s beloved team and mascot with the release of its “Toro” colorway. Designed by Tinker Hatfield and Mark Smith, the sneaker was initially conceived to mimic the sleekness and speed of a Ferrari.
MJ only wore the Air Jordan 14 in three games. It was the last signature model he would wear before retiring from the Bulls. The sneakers were on his feet when Jordan made the “Last Shot,” a storybook ending to his 1998 run with the Bulls that also snagged his team its sixth NBA championship title. The Air Jordan 14 is now known as the “Last Shot” sneaker.
Another name for a male bull, the “Toro” release comes in a bright Gym Red, skillfully framed in black and edged in white. The shoe’s revolutionary technology and new-age additions are what set it apart from other Jordan silhouettes. Like Michael Jordan’s Ferrari 550 Maranello that inspired the original shoe, the “Toro” echoes both the car’s aesthetic and color palette.
A blend of synthetic and full-grain leathers in Gym Red revs up along the sides of the upper, while the textile toe box gets dressed in black. Black extends up the throat, tongue and lacing system – anchoring the red sides of the sneaker. The metal-finished lace tips add a premium vibe to this already luxurious basketball sneaker. A tasteful, Ferrari-esque Jumpman badge embellishes the sides of the shoe. White Jumpman and No. 23 branding stand out against the black backdrop of the heel.
While the AJ 14 design gives this shoe its flash, the details contained within make the shoe’s engine run. A white Phylon midsole encapsulates the Zoom Air units in the heel and the forefoot. The rigid midfoot shank plate contributes to the sneaker’s stability. With its large herringbone pattern, the tire-like outsole is where the rubber meets the road.
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Hibbett | City Gear celebrates the legacy of MJ and the Chicago Bulls with the release of the men’s and kids’ Black/Gym Red/White “Toro” AJ 14 Retro on July 2.