Jordan 12 Flu Game: 1997 Finals History, 2025 Specs & Resale Guide
The Jordan 12 Flu Game is back in 2025 and ready to dazzle everyone. It pairs original black tumbled leather with a Varsity Red lizard-print mudguard. Released on March 1, 2025, at $210 retail (CT8013-002), this fifth edition honors Michael Jordan’s 38-point 1997 Finals performance.
- 2025 Release Specs: Dropped on March 1, 2025, for $210 retail (SKU CT8013-002) in Black and Varsity Red with OG-accurate tumbled leather uppers.
- 1997 Finals Lore: Named after Game 5 on June 11, 1997, when an ill Michael Jordan scored 38 points in 44 minutes to beat the Utah Jazz 90-88.
- 5-Edition Timeline: Released originally in 1997 ($135 retail) and retroed in 2003 ($135), 2009 ($150 nubuck), 2016 ($190), and March 2025 ($210).
- Resale Benchmark: While the 2016 retro averages $360 on secondary exchanges, 2025 pairs trade between $245 and $290 across core men’s sizes.
What Happened During the 1997 NBA Finals to Inspire the Jordan 12 Flu Game?
On June 11, 1997, an exhausted Michael Jordan scored 38 points in Salt Lake City.
Hours before Game 5 against the Utah Jazz, Jordan woke up at 2:00 AM with stomach illness. Early television broadcasts blamed a viral flu for his visible dehydration. Trainer Tim Grover later attributed the illness to late-night room-service pizza poisoning in Park City. Despite severe fatigue, Number 23 logged 44 minutes on the Delta Center hardwood.
He tallied 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals during that 90-88 victory. As documented in the Sneaker Bar Detroit Flu Game history, the Black and Varsity Red colorway became immortalized. His autographed game-worn pair sold at auction for $104,765 in 2013 and $1.38 million in 2023.
How Do the 1997, 2003, 2009, 2016, and 2025 Editions Compare?
Four of the five releases use tumbled leather uppers, while the 2009 edition used black nubuck.
Tinker Hatfield designed the 1996-1997 twelfth signature silhouette around Japan’s rising-sun flag and a women’s dress boot. It was the first release in the line to feature full-length Zoom Air cushioning. A woven carbon-fiber shank plate supported the midfoot arch. Following the $135 original 1997 release, the first leather retro arrived in 2003 at $135 retail.
In 2009, designers replaced the black leather upper with matte nubuck ($150 retail). That 2009 pair also printed a cartoon sick-face icon and “97 / 38” on the heel. Collectors preferred the May 2016 retro ($190 retail), which restored the original leather grain. The March 1, 2025 release ($210 retail) refined the toe-box shape closer to 1997 specs.
What Material Upgrades Define the March 2025 CT8013-002 Release?
The March 2025 CT8013-002 release features heavy-grain black leather, a Varsity Red mudguard, and a sleeker toe profile.
Side-by-side comparisons between the 2016 and 2025 pairs reveal subtle shape corrections across the forefoot. On the 2025 pair, the Varsity Red textured mudguard sits slightly lower along the lateral side. That adjustment avoids the boxy profile seen on mid-2010s retros. Metallic red upper lace eyelets and an embroidered red “TWO 3” tongue strip complete the upper.
Underfoot, full-length Zoom Air bags sit inside a red Phylon midsole with black herringbone traction pods. An exposed carbon-fiber shank plate reinforces torsional rigidity during hard cuts. Studying our guide on where to buy authentic Jordans helps collectors verify those factory details and OG packaging.
How Does the $360 Resale on 2016 Pairs Compare With 2025 Pricing?
Deadstock 2016 pairs average $360 on the aftermarket, whereas fresh 2025 pairs trade between $245 and $290.
According to marketplace data on the StockX 2016 Flu Game page, deadstock pairs from the 2016 release average $360 across men’s sizes. Older 2003 and 1997 pairs command $420 to $650 among archival collectors. Twenty-year-old polyurethane glue still requires careful inspection before on-court wear.
Whenever a cornerstone Chicago Bulls colorway returns after a nine-year hiatus, fresh retail supply moderates short-term resale prices before long-term deadstock scarcity rebuilds.
Following the March 1, 2025 launch at $210 retail, secondary prices settled between $245 and $290 in men’s sizes. Grade School (GS) pairs ($160 retail) trade between $175 and $195 on resale platforms. Buyers looking to buy sneakers in bulk usually focus on men’s sizes 10.5 to 13.
| Release Year & Edition | Style Code | Official Retail Price | Average Secondary Market Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Original (OG) | 130690-061 | $135 retail | $550 – $750 archival ask |
| 2003 First Retro | 136001-061 | $135 retail | $380 – $460 deadstock average |
| 2009 Nubuck Edition | 130690-065 | $150 retail | $290 – $340 deadstock average |
| 2016 Leather Retro / 2025 Retro | 130690-002 / CT8013-002 | $190 (2016) / $210 (2025) | $360 (2016) / $245 – $290 (2025) |
How Do eBay, StockX, and GOAT Fees Affect Net Seller Payouts?
Selling a $275 pair on eBay nets $253.00 after its 8% fee, beating StockX ($242.00) and GOAT ($236.94).
Comparing seller fees across authenticated marketplaces highlights why fee percentages matter on a $210 retail release. Per the official eBay athletic shoe fee schedule, eBay charges an 8% final value fee on sneakers selling for $150 or more. On a $275 resale transaction, eBay deducts $22.00 and leaves a $253.00 net payout.
Per the StockX seller fee schedule, Level 1 accounts pay a 9% base fee plus a 3% payment processing fee. Selling at $275 on StockX deducts $33.00 (12% total) and nets $242.00. Under the official GOAT seller fee schedule, a 9.5% commission ($26.13) plus $5 and 2.9% cash-out ($6.93) leaves $236.94 net.
| Marketplace & Edition | Gross Sale Price | Platform Commission & Processing | Net Seller Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay Standard (2025 CT8013-002) | $275 gross sale | 8% final value fee ($22.00) | $253.00 net payout |
| StockX Level 1 (2025 CT8013-002) | $275 gross sale | 9% ($24.75) + 3% ($8.25) | $242.00 net payout |
| GOAT Standard (2025 CT8013-002) | $275 gross sale | 9.5% ($26.13) + $5 + 2.9% ($6.93) | $236.94 net payout |
| eBay Standard (2016 130690-002) | $360 gross sale | 8% final value fee ($28.80) | $331.20 net payout |
How Can Collectors Secure Limited Retro Drops at Retail Price?
Buyers combine SNKRS Draw entries, FLX app reservations, and multi-site checkout automation to secure retros at retail.
Original Chicago Bulls colorways attract heavy traffic across Nike SNKRS, Foot Locker, Champs Sports, and JD Sports. Reviewing our guide on how to buy sneakers for retail helps buyers organize launch calendars ahead of release weekend. Tracking the evolution of sneaker bots and reselling also prepares collectors for simultaneous morning drops across regional boutiques.
Using an all-in-one sneaker bot alongside clean residential proxies keeps checkout tasks active across Shopify and retail sites. Alongside Valor AIO, Cybersole, and Stellar AIO, NikeShoeBot supports Nike SNKRS, Shopify, and Footlocker-family checkout modules. That multi-site preparation helps serious collectors secure classic retros at official retail sticker price.
How does the twelfth signature silhouette fit compared to earlier retros?
The silhouette fits true to size for most wearers thanks to its padded collar and full-length Zoom Air strobel. Wide-footed buyers occasionally go up half a size because the textured mudguard wraps snugly around the forefoot.
What is the difference between the 2023 Cherry release and the Black and Red edition?
The White and Varsity Red Cherry colorway worn during regular-season home games features a white leather upper with a red mudguard. The Game 5 Finals pair uses a black leather upper with a Varsity Red mudguard.
