NEW YORK—The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) today announced that Nike’s total funds raised for the Foundation, generated by the 10-day eBay auction of 1,500 pairs of limited edition 2011 NIKE MAG shoes, topped $4.7 million. The funds will go straight to the Foundation’s aggressive research programs to help speed a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
Not only did the release of the 2011 NIKE MAG shoes generate a remarkable sum for Parkinson’s research, and resulted in the largest charity auction in in eBay history, it also brought the critical unmet medical need in Parkinson’s disease to the attention of new audiences. On the first day of the auction, the Foundation’s Website (www.michaeljfox.org) experienced a greater than 1300-percent increase in traffic over the same day in 2010. Over the course of the 10-day auction, the Foundation’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/michaeljfoxfoundation) added almost 10,000 new fans.
Through the $50-million Brin Wojcicki Challenge, effective through 2012, the proceeds of the auctions will be doubled — bringing the total funds generated to $9.4 million. The Challenge was announced earlier this year and is made possible by the leadership of longtime Foundation friends Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, and his wife, Anne Wojcicki, co-founder of personal genetics company 23andMe.
“The enthusiasm this project ignited, and the funds and awareness the shoes generated for Parkinson’s research, are both humbling and inspiring,” said Fox. “Our Foundation is truly grateful to Nike for this unique partnership that brought Back to the Future fans, sneakerheads and the PD community together in the quest to eradicate Parkinson’s from the space-time continuum.”
Appearing on “The Late Show with David Letterman” on September 8, Fox revealed the 2011 NIKE MAGs to the world, officially kicking off the eBay Fashion Vault auctions that closed on September 18. The shoe was an exact replica of the originals he wore as Marty McFly in Back to the Future II, down to the contours of the upper, the glowing LED panel and the electroluminescent “NIKE” in the strap.
“We are thankful to the communities and individuals who showed their support to Michael and his Foundation,” says Mark Parker, Nike CEO. “We hope their actions will have a lasting impact on the Foundation’s goal to end Parkinson’s disease.”
The much-anticipated release of the “greatest shoe never made” sparked a whirlwind of excitement spanning the globe with the unveil of a ‘Lost Episode’ created to honor the original Back to the Future films and characters. The episode has been viewed over 2.9 million times on YouTube to date.
At the 2011 NIKE MAG launch party in Los Angeles, British rapper and avid sneaker collector Tinie Tempah won the distinction of owning the first pair of the 2011 NIKE MAG with his $37,500 bid at live auction. The unprecedented fervor continued throughout the online auctions and beyond, with an average selling price per pair of $3,600. An additional 10 pairs were sold at live auctions, from Paris to Tokyo. Christopher Lloyd, who reprised his beloved role in the Back to the Future ‘Lost Episode,’ donated his own pair of NIKE MAG shoes back to the cause, autographing the box for good measure. Mr. Lloyd’s shoes drew $13,500 for Parkinson’s research at a live auction event held September 17 at NikeTown New York. Combined, the live and online auctions raised a total of $4.7 million, which reflects all final settled transactions, authenticated by eBay and Nike.
Fox concluded, “Creating a future without Parkinson’s requires the involvement of many. Thanks to Nike and everyone who took part in this incredible event, our ranks have grown exponentially.”
About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
As the world’s largest private funder of Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson’s patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding over $270 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson’s research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson’s disease clinical trials with its personalized online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson’s awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. Now through December 31, 2012, all new, returning and increased giving to The Michael J. Fox Foundation will be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with the $50-million Brin Wojcicki Challenge, launched by Sergey Brin and Anne Wojcicki. For more information, visit: www.michaeljfox.org; www.facebook.com/michaeljfoxfoundation.
About Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned Nike subsidiaries include Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand. For more information, visit www.Nikebiz.com/investors.
About eBay Inc. and eBay Fashion
Founded in 1995 in San Jose, Calif., eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY) is about connecting buyers and sellers. We do so through eBay, the world’s largest online marketplace, which allows users to buy and sell on eBay platforms in nearly every country on earth; through PayPal, which enables individuals and businesses to securely, easily and quickly send and receive online payments; and through GSI Commerce, which facilitates ecommerce, multichannel retailing and digital marketing for global enterprises. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.
eBay Fashion is a dedicated destination for fashion on eBay, delivering an inspired, interactive shopping experience. With more than 20 million daily listings, eBay Fashion surfaces an unparalleled selection of new, designer and brand name clothing, shoes and accessories at incredible value. The eBay Fashion Vault platform offers exclusive, limited time sales direct from designers and brands and the eBay Fashion iPhone app lets shoppers browse, buy and virtually try on items from the millions of fashion listings—anytime, anywhere. For more, visit fashion.ebay.com, and to join the conversation, go to www.facebook.com/eBayFashion or follow @eBay_Fashion.