History of Air Jordan by Nike

Air Jordan shoes, fondly called as “Js” or “MJs,” is a brand of basketball shoes manufactured by Nike and endorsed by no other than the legendary Michael Jordan. Now, Air Jordan is especially distributed by the Jordan Brand, a branch of Nike. The first Air Jordan shoes were released in 1985, and since then 23 different versions of these shoes have been created. Every numbered release was on a saturday.  So i know all you Jordan fans had all the stores jam packed on those saturdays, just a natural tradion of the Jordan Brand.

Avid Air Jordan collectors categorize the shoes according to model and year of release. There are five classes of Air Jordans – Originals (OG), Player Exclusive, Retros, Retro-pluses (Retro +), and Samples. Aside from these, it has also released a collection of Team shoes, which is outside the Air Jordan line coverage. The line also occasionally manufactures signature shoes that were released before.

In 1984, Nike was stereotyped as brand for “white joggers.” The profits from their running shoes were slowly waning so the company thought of crossing the “sports border” in order to augment their sales. Nike saw an opportunity in the basketball world, and signed then-unknown NBA rookie Michael Jordan for a 5-year deal of $2.5 million.

Since then, Jordans have been a huge hit, both for Nike and Michael Jordan. The following are descriptions and successes of each model of Air Jordans from 1985 to the present:

Air Jordan 1. The release of the Air Jordan 1 revolutionized the basketball shoe industry because of its black and red details, which defied from the traditional white shoe. Although NBA banned Michael Jordan from wearing his shoes, he defied the rules and Nike was more than happy to pay the fine of $5000 per game. Michael Jordan’s spectacular performance, alongside his unique shoes, helped make the Air Jordan shoes a must-have for basketball aficionados. The Air Jordan 1 model, which was originally designed by Peter Moore, was re-released in 1994 and 2001. In 2008, a Retro 1 tribute in honor of Michael Jordan’s days as a baseballer for Birmingham Barons was released.

Air Jordan 2. This is the only pair of Air Jordans that is not in black and does not bear the Nike swoosh logo. Air Jordan 2, which was released after Michael Jordan’s rookie year (1987-1988), was inspired by a 19th century Italian woman’s boot.



Air Jordan 3. This is said to be Michael Jordan’s favorite because he wore it during the 1988 Slam Dunk Championships which he later dominated. It was designed by Tinker Hatfield and features the new Jumpman logo and a visible air unit on the heel. In 2007, an Air Jordan 3 in a special color palette was released.

Oh nah, yall not even ready for these..August 5, 2011

Air Jordan 4. This was released in 1984 and was designed by Hatfield. It was the first pair of Air Jordans to be released internationally. The shoe was re-released in 1999 and 2006.



Air Jordan 5. This shoe, released in February 1990, has a reflective tongue as its distinctive detail. The shoe’s design was inspired by the World War II Mustang fighter plane. In 2000 and 2006, retro versions of the shoe were released. In May 2009, DMP II, two Air Jordan 5s, will be released.





Air Jordan 6. This shoe, released in late 1990 and designed by Hatfield, was Jordan’s first NBA championship shoes. They were retired in 2000 and 2008.



Yep, April 16, 2011. {Jordan VII}



Air Jordan 7. This was designed by Hatfield again and was released in late 1991. Michael Jordan wore a special Air Jordan 7 model during his 1992 Barcelona Olympics stint. The shoes were re-released in 2002, 2004, and 2006.

Air Jordan 8. This was released during the 1992-1993 NBA season. It was also known as the “flower-power” Air Jordan.

Air Jordan 9. Made available in 1993, Air Jordan 9 was the first shoe that was released after Michael Jordan’s retirement.

Air Jordan 10. Known as the “Comeback sneaker,” Air Jordan 10’s soles chronicled Jordan’s illustrious basketball career.

Air Jordan 11. This shoe, designed by Hatfield, was manufactured in hopes that Michael Jordan would wear it in a comeback in the NBA.

Air Jordan 12. This shoe was inspired by the Japanese flag Nisshoki and a 19th century woman’s dress boot.

Air Jordan 13.This shoe was designed by Hatfield and was released in 1997 and re-released in 2005.

Air Jordan 14. This shoe has over nine variations, and was inspired by Michael Jordan’s tattoo.

Air Jordan 15. This was the first shoe released after Michael Jordan’s second retirement in 1999.

Air Jordan 16. This was released during Michael Jordan’s 38th birthday in February 17, 2001.

Air Jordan 17. This shoe comes with a Jumpman embossed metal carrying case, which handles the shoes along with a CD-rom.

Air Jordan 18. Released in 2003, Air Jordan 18 became the shoe for Jordan’s last season in the NBA. It was designed by Tate Kuerbis.

Air Jordan 19. Inspired by the black mamba snake, it was released in 2004, after his third and final season in the NBA.

Air Jordan 20. The shoe was inspired by a motorcycle and is complete with the high-tech IPS cushion.

Air Jordan 21. This shoe was inspired by the world’s best touring automobiles. Consumers can choose from Zoom and Encapsulated air shoes.

Air Jordan 22. Designer Dwayne Edwards drew inspiration from the F-22 Raptor fighter jet. The Air Jordan 22 was released on March 24, 2007.

Air Jordan 23. The latest Air Jordan shoes are the first environmentally friendly Jordans produced.

Ever since the release of the Air Jordan 1 in 1985, Michael Jordan’s personalized shoe line (his life story, ideas, and hobbies are taken into account during the design process) has been one of the bestselling shoes in the world.