Andrew Rizzo Michael Jordan doesn’t achieve basketball immortality without the guidance of his parents. His mother, Deloris Jordan, famously forced her son to take a meeting with Nike despite him having his heart set on adidas; a decision that we all know turned into the most lucrative sneaker deal ever. MJ credits his father, James Jordan Sr., as the source of his competitive drive, describing him as his “rock” and a constant source of advice and encouragement. That’s what made MJ’s fourth NBA Championship win, finalized on Father’s Day in 1996, such a confluence of emotions.
In 1993, James Jordan Sr. was tragically killed while sleeping in his car in North Carolina. Of course, this had a profound effect on Michael. Jordan temporarily retired from basketball and set his sights on becoming a pro baseball player, which is exactly what his father envisioned for him as a kid. He would return to the NBA at the end of the 1994-95 season and make his fourth NBA Finals the following year, beginning the first chapter of his second championship three-peat with the Bulls.
On June 16th, 1996, which just so happened to be Father’s Day, Chicago won its series against Seattle in six games. For MJ personally, this ring was far and away his most special. He did it for his dad, even if he could only be there in spirit. Jordan’s intense combination of victory and continued mourning gave us an image that truly says a thousand words. On the floor of Chicago’s locker room, MJ was pictured on his back grappling with the high and low emotions that came with his fourth ring.
According to Sneaker Files, Jordan Brand is commemorating that moment with a special Jordan 3 called “World’s Best Dad” for Father’s Day 2026. The sneaker is said to feature Chicago’s locker room carpet pattern in place of elephant print, as well as a translucent red outsole as a nod to the “Bred” Jordan 11; the sneaker MJ wore in the win. Other key details include “Nike Air” on the heel and text reading “World’s Best” on the inner tongue. The shoe’s official color palette reads “Sail/Black/University Red/Pale Ivory/Palomino,” but the exact material assortment is yet to be confirmed.
No images of the Jordan 3 “World’s Best Dad” are available yet, but the speculative mockup below provides an idea of what to expect. We’ll keep you posted as soon as first look images hit the ‘net.
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- Air Jordan 3 “World’s Best Dad” Mockup @zsneakerheadz x @sneakerfiles
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- Air Jordan 3 “World’s Best Dad” Mockup @zsneakerheadz x @sneakerfiles
WHERE TO BUY
Mens Air Jordan 3 "World's Best Dad"
US 2026
Powered By:
| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nike SNKRS US | Standard | Coming Soon |
- M 4.5 / W 6
- M 5 / W 6.5
- M 5.5 / W 7
- M 6 / W 7.5
- M 6.5 / W 8
- M 7 / W 8.5
- M 7.5 / W 9
- M 8 / W 9.5
- M 8.5 / W 10
- M 9 / W 10.5
- M 9.5 / W 11
- M 10 / W 11.5
- M 10.5 / W 12
- M 11 / W 12.5
- M 11.5 / W 13
- M 12 / W 13.5
