Nike Mag Raises $6.75 Million For Parkinson’s Research

Nike’s auctioning off of its self-lacing Mag sneakers has so far raised $6.75 million for The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF).

First appearing three decades ago in the “Back To The Future II” movie, sneakerheads and movie buffs have long awaited the opportunity to own the iconic shoe, MJFF noted.

Nike and MJFF made the Nike Mag available to everyone through an online draw from October 4 to 11, with each entry requiring a $10 donation to MJFF. The eight-day Nike Draw, online draw and auctions in Hong Kong and London featured a limited-edition release of 88 pairs of the Mag shoe. The 89th pair will be auctioned to the highest bidder at the Foundation’s benefit gala on November 12 in New York City.

Through the Draw, Nike set out to raise millions for research, galvanizing new audiences worldwide to support the estimated 5 million people who live with Parkinson’s. Thanks to an anonymous donor, donations in the last 12 hours of the Draw were doubled and matched dollar for dollar. The winners were announced on October 17.

All of the proceeds will go straight to speeding a cure for Parkinson’s disease, according to MJFF. Moreover, MJFF notes that through two events generating worldwide interest in 2011 and 2016, Nike has now raised a total of more than $16 million for the Foundation’s mission.

Michael J. Fox, owner of the first pair of self-lacing Nike Mag shoes, made several media appearances throughout the Draw to shine a spotlight on the Foundation’s work.

“Thanks to Nike, we’ve raised a boatload of money for research and we’ve had tons of fun while doing it,” said Fox. “We’re grateful to everyone who’s engaged in our work and we welcome those who have come to learn more about us through this amazing partnership.”

Chairman, President and CEO of Nike Inc. Mark Parker said, “It’s been an honor to work with Michael and his Foundation over the years on such an important mission. We could never have imagined when we started this journey 30 years ago it would have such a wide-reaching effect — and we can’t wait for what’s next.”