LeBron James MLK Jr. Inspired Nikes Draws Hate Online

Yesterday was MLK Day, a day meant to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in powerful, community-grounded ways. For many folks, that means attending marches or ceremonies, reading King’s speeches, volunteering at local events, donating to causes that support civil rights and equity, or simply using the day to reflect and engage in dialogue about racial justice. It’s a time meant for connection, education, and action — not spectacle or questionable symbolism. So when LeBron James and Nike rolled out a new sneaker tied to MLK’s name — the Nike LeBron 23 “Honor the King” colorway — people were immediately skeptical.

The shoe, which was released today, is part of the LeBron 23 line and retails for around $210. The colorway features a teal/turquoise palette that Nike and LeBron say was inspired by the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, the site where Dr. King was assassinated in 1968, the same building that today houses the National Civil Rights Museum.

On the surface, pairing a sneaker drop with a moment in history feels like a fresh way to celebrate Black icons. Most people didn’t see it that way, though, especially once social media lit up with criticism. A huge chunk of the backlash wasn’t even about profit or commodification (though that came up, too); it was the choice of colorway and imagery. People quickly pointed out that the palette directly references the very motel where Dr. King was killed, something that many felt was tone-deaf at best and deeply disrespectful at worst. Teal is now being discussed not as a tribute color but as a reminder of trauma.

The reactions on social media weren’t subtle. Sneakerheads, historians, and everyday users called the move “wack,” “bad taste,” and “complete disrespect.” One common critique was that using the memory of a site of violence as a design aesthetic for a fashion product — especially one you have to buy — just isn’t what MLK Day is about. Others noted that the release felt like branding dressed up as reverence without any tangible benefit to the communities King fought for. While Nike executives said the intent was to honor King’s legacy and life, it didn’t do much to stop the flood of negative replies.

Commentators like David Dennis Jr. broke down the situation in a viral video, offering context on why this missed the mark for so many. His perspective helped explain that Dr. King’s legacy isn’t a design choice or trend; it’s grounded in struggle, sacrifice, and community uplift, and that subtlety gets lost when it’s reduced to sneaker graphics. Hopefully, next year, Nike and other brands think a whole lot harder about how they choose to honor history — or just completely forego ideas like this that do more harm than good.

See social media’s reaction to the colorway below: