Nike Limits Release of LeBron's Controversial MLK Sneakers

The Nike LeBron 23 "Honor The King" colorway only dropped in select markets after backlash from NBA fans.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 3:55pm

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Nike's release of the LeBron 23 "Honor The King" sneakers, which were designed to pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., was limited after facing criticism from fans and journalists over perceived insensitivity. The teal colorway was inspired by the Lorraine Motel, the site of King's assassination, but some felt the design was inappropriate. While the shoes were scheduled to release globally on February 24, 2026, they ultimately only dropped in select European markets in grade school sizes, with Nike moving forward with other colorways in the LeBron 23 line.

Why it matters

The controversy surrounding the LeBron 23 "Honor The King" sneakers highlights the delicate balance brands must strike when attempting to honor important historical figures and events. While Nike's intent was to pay tribute to Dr. King's legacy, the design choice sparked backlash, raising questions about how companies can respectfully commemorate civil rights leaders without appearing to profit from tragedy.

The details

The teal colorway of the LeBron 23 "Honor The King" was inspired by the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where Dr. King was assassinated, as well as LeBron James' 51-point game against the Memphis Grizzlies in 2008. However, following a New York Times article, the shoes faced criticism on social media for a perceived lack of sensitivity. Nike's VP of communications, John Jowers, acknowledged the subjectivity of design and said the intent was to honor Dr. King, but the backlash led Nike to limit the release to select European markets in grade school sizes, while moving forward with other colorways in the LeBron 23 line.

  • The Nike LeBron 23 "Honor The King" colorway was scheduled to release globally on February 24, 2026.
  • The shoes did drop in grade school sizes in several European markets on February 24, 2026.

The players

LeBron James

A professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers and one of the most prominent athletes in the world.

Nike

A multinational corporation that is the world's largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment.

John Jowers

The vice president of communications at Nike.

Martin Luther King Jr.

A prominent leader in the African-American civil rights movement who was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee in 1968.

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What they’re saying

“Design is so subjective, and some people the design will resonate with, and others maybe less so, and obviously that becomes a little bit more charged when you have bigger principles at play.”

— John Jowers, Vice President of Communications, Nike

“This is definitely not a flex by Nike and LeBron. Profit on tragedy with Lorraine motel colors”

— Clarence Hill Jr.

What’s next

With the shoes already produced, it is safe to expect Nike and James to move forward with a larger release of the LeBron 23 "Honor The King" colorway in the future, though an exact release date remains unknown.

The takeaway

The controversy surrounding the LeBron 23 "Honor The King" sneakers highlights the challenges brands face when attempting to commemorate important historical figures and events, as even well-intentioned designs can be perceived as insensitive or exploitative. This incident underscores the need for companies to thoughtfully consider the cultural implications of their products and engage with relevant communities when honoring significant moments in history.