Nike Postpones 2020 Doernbecher Freestyle Collection

It looks like as though the coronavirus pandemic has thrown yet another wrinkle into sneaker rollouts, this time possibly contributing to the delayed launch of Nike’s 2020 Doernbecher Freestlye collection. 

An official post on Oregon Health & Science University’s (OHSU) website confirms that the collection will not release this year as originally planned. “In collaboration with our partners at Nike, we have decided to postpone the 2020 Doernbecher Freestyle program and event,” the message reads. “It is our hope to debut the Freestyle XVII collections in Spring 2021. Thank you for your continued support of Doernbecher and the Doernbecher Freestyle program.”

Traditionally unveiled in early November, the annual program taps patients from the OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital to design their own Nike shoes. It’s been taking place since 2004 and to date, has raised nearly $30 million to benefit the hospital. It’s produced a number of sought after pairs, namely 2011’s Air Jordan 4 which currently resells for upwards of $2,000.

The sneakers featured in the postponed Doernbecher Freestyle collection have not yet been announced. As of now, the tentative new release date is sometime during spring of next year.