Air Jordans are legendary shoes. Not only are they the most popular sneaker in the game, but the Jordan brand also generates over $3 billion a year in sales! So, it’s not just ballers that want to sport a pair of Nike Air Jordans.
The iconic shoe has earned its place as a pop culture icon. These Nike shoes are referenced in hundreds of hip hop songs, showcased in glossy magazine spreads, and coveted by stylish people around the globe.
Launched back in 1985, their style is now a familiar sight both on and off the courts. But, you’ve likely wondered, What is the history of Nike Air Jordan? Read on to learn the backstory of these famous Nike shoes and why people continue to purchase Nike Jordans to this day!
Early History of Nike Air Jordan
Michael Jordan made his debut with his Nike shoe in his rookie year in 1985. Not only did he receive the Rookie of the Year Award, but he also introduced an infamous shoe collaboration with Nike. Since the Air Jordan design went against the league’s uniform rules at the time.
Every time he wore the shoes on the court, the NBA fined Jordan $5,000 ($12,368 in 2021)! Nike paid these fines because the buzz of breaking the rules only heightened the interest in their style. Jordan’s early reputation became one of a trail-blazer and wearing the banned shoes both strengthened the interest around his skills and the interest in his Nikes.
The Air Jordan 1 stood out. With clean lines of white, red, and black, the high-top sneaker paved the way for court shoes to hit the streets. Editions 2 and 3, released in 1986 and 1987, ditched the iconic Nike swoop for a fresh, white design. These were the first basketball shoes to hit the $100 retail price mark.
The Nike shoes really made their pop culture mark outside of basketball when they were featured as a storyline in the Spike Lee movie Do The Right Thing. The Air Jordan 4s focused on in the film reintroduced the first set of different colorways, including black and cement grey, and off-white and military blue.
Early 90s History of Air Jordans
1990 kicked off with the number 5 Air Jordan. This slick shoe’s designer, Tinker Hatfield, borrowed the clear soles he used on Marty McFly’s Jordans from the film, Back to the Future II. This design had other quirky features, like a shark tooth design on the side and a toggle to tighten the laces.
Celebrated through popular culture again the Jordan 5 featured prominently on another hit launched in 1990. Will Smith wore Jordans nearly every episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Edition number 7 coincided with the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Nike released a limited-edition Olympic style, along with a “Hare White” edition featured in a commercial with Bugs Bunny. Seems like an odd choice until Space Jam was released in 1996.
The premise of the box-office smash had Michael Jordan wearing his Nike Air Jordan 11s and teaming up with Bugs Bunny and his crew to play some Looney Toon b-ball. The 11 featured patent leather and is often touted as the most beloved Jordan design of all time.
Air Jordans at the Turn of the Century
For the number 13 Jordans, fans nicknamed its style the “Black Cat.” Designer Tinker Hatfield used the lines of a sleek panther to inspire the shoe’s look. The sole gives the suggestion of a cat’s paw and the heel features a holographic image of a cat-eye.
The 13 made an appearance on Denzel Washington in the iconic 1998 film, He Got Game.
The 1999 edition is the first shoe that Michael Jordan never wore on the court since he retired from basketball for the second time. Although designed for the practicality of playing ball, Nike marketed this look like a shoe for off the court.
In 2001, Nike shoes introduced a new designer for the Air Jordans. Wilson Smith III embraced the style icon status of Air Jordans by creating a versatile and convertible shoe. The shoe featured a removable and magnetic shroud that covers the tongue and laces of the high-top.
The Cultural Legend of Air Jordan Continues
Sneaker culture is more than just basketball, it is a phenomenon all on its own. People all around the world collect and love their Nike Air Jordans. Nike capitalizes on its popularity by releasing throw-back editions of their famous shoes on the regular.
The pop culture love hasn’t waned over the years either. Magazines and blogs routinely list the top 50 songs that feature sneakers like Air Jordans. The living G.O.A.T.s like Drake, Jay-Z, and Kanye West all reference Jordans in their catalog.
These iconic shoes still play a part in movies plotlines too, like in the 2018 film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Wearing any edition of Air Jordans is a status symbol. They were the first luxury sports shoe and the first to cross over from niche market to cultural icon. Michael Jordan’s popularity helped build Nike into the global mega-brand it is today.
Although Michael Jordan wasn’t the first basketball star to get his own branded shoe, his were the first to infiltrate the cultural lexicon. When you talk about having your Jordans on, everyone knows what you’re talking about!
The latest edition, released in 2020, is a tribute to a 35-year standard in athletic performance and effortless street style. Starting around $175, these Air Jordans come in an original black, red, and white colorway.
Shoe designer, Tate Kuerbis, made the Air Jordan 35 its lightest edition yet. The style prominently highlights the shoe’s technical responsiveness. By reminding the world that Air Jordans are made for the court, Nike ensures their flagship shoe continues to blaze trails.
Become Timeless With Nike Air Jordans
Now you know the history of Nike Air Jordans and why rocking these shoes makes you a timeless style icon! Don’t forget, Nike is always releasing throw-back colorways for your favorite style!
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