Who’s That Behind Those Oakley’s? Michael Jordan?

Will Air Jordan descend on the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station for Oakley Inc.’s annual meeting Friday?

Only Michael Jordan, the most valuable player of the National Basketball Assn. playoffs, and Oakley, the Irvine-based sunglasses company, know for sure.

And neither is talking about plans that Jordan, an Oakley board member, might have to attend the 9 a.m. meeting at the El Toro Command Museum.

If Jordan doesn’t appear, shareholders can catch a glimpse of the NBA star on Page 16 of the company’s glitzy annual report--wearing, of course, a pair of Oakley shades.

Speaking of Oakley, the company has spent $4.3 million to acquire a plant in Nevada where it will manufacture its new “X Metal” sunglasses line. The high-end line is to be introduced this year.

“The purchase of this facility enables us to produce metal frame components in a way that is revolutionary for the sunglass industry,” said Oakley founder and Chairman Jim Jannard. “In addition, the acquisition furthers our strategy of producing in-house, which has had a positive impact on our operating margins and has enabled us to protect our proprietary manufacturing processes.”

Greg Johnson covers retail businesses and restaurants for The Times. He can be reached at (714) 966-5950 and at greg.johnson@latimes.com.