Photo Credit: Nike & Jumpman23

What are Air Jordans

Air Jordan(s) , also known as Jordans are one of the best selling shoe brands in the world. Air Jordan sneakers are designed for one of the greatest basketball players in the NBA: Michael Jordan. The first pair of Air Jordans was released for Michael Jordan in 1984. Since then, there has been an Air Jordan release every year, when Michael Jordan retired from professional basketball.

The Air Jordan Logo

Air Jordans are a sub-division of Nike. However, unlike other Nike products, Air Jordans do not use the traditional Nike Swoosh. Instead, Air Jordans use the Jumpman logo. The Jumpman symbol has been used for Air Jordans for over twenty years and is one of the most recognized symbols in the world.

The Beginning of the Air Jordan Legacy

The history of Air Jordans begins in 1984. During that time, Nike was desperately trying to get into basketball market. However, most people at that time associated Nike with boring plain white running shoes. Nike saw potential in an NBA rookie named Michael Jordan and the rest was history. Nike and Michael Jordan Would go on to produce one of the best-selling and most recognizable shoe brands in history.

The Air Jordan Family

The Air Jordan family currently consists of 24 Originals and various Retros. Each of these Air Jordan Sneakers releases feature various color schemes known as Colorways. Traditionally, each Air Jordan release was followed by a roman numeral. So the first Air Jordans are known as Air Jordan I while the 11th Air Jordans are known as Air Jordan XI. This rule has recently been broken with the release of the latest Air Jordan sneaker known as the Air Jordan 2009.

The First Air Jordan

The Air Jordan I's were the first pair of Jordans in the long line of Air Jordan Sneakers. Michael Jordan first wore the Air Jordan I's on November 17, 1984 during an NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers. He was also fined $US5000.00 a game by the NBA for every game that he wore the Air Jordan I's. The NBA fined Michael Jordan for wearing the Air Jordans because they violated the league's very strict dress code. Before the Air Jordan I, most basketball shoes were white, but the bold black and red styling of the Air Jordan I. With the Air Jordan sneakers on his feet, Michael Jordan had a tremendous rookie season in which he averaged (28.2 ppg) and was named rookie of the year. This ensured the success of the Air Jordans and guaranteed that other Air Jordan shoes would follow.

The Latest Air Jordan

The latest member of the original Air Jordan family is the Air Jordan 2009 which also goes by the name Air Jordan 2K9. This new edition to the Jordan family was released on January 31, 2009. The Air Jordan 2009 is the first member of the Original Air Jordan family to not have a roman numeral behind it. The last Air Jordan pair to have a roman numeral was the Air Jordan XXIII (23) which corresponds to the Michael Jordan's famous jersey number. The Jordan Brand has publicly stated that no future Air Jordan release will use Roman Numerals.

The Air Jordan Legacy

Since their release in 1985, the Air Jordans continue to be one of the best-selling basketball shoes. Each Air Jordan usually has a theme or an inspiration. Due to the success of the Air Jordan shoes, Nike Partnered with Michael Jordan to create The Jordan Brand. The Jordan Brand is a sub-division of Nike that uses the Jumpman symbol instead of the traditional Nike Swoosh. The Jordan Brand creates sneakers, shirts, casual wear and various other athletic apparels. Michael Jordan selects special athletes and Universities to represent The Jordan Brand. These athletes and Universities are known as Team Jordan. Team Jordan currently has athletes in Basketball, Football, Boxing, Baseball and Track & Field. The Team Jordan Universities consist of Georgetown and North Carolina.

Air Jordan Collectors

Air Jordan collectors classify every sneaker in the Air Jordan line by release Year and model. Air Jordans are pretty expensive when compared to other sneakers and are considered by some to be collectors' items. Every once in a while certain limited edition color ways are also released. The various types of Air Jordans that can be collected are:

• Originals (OG)
• Retros
• Retro-pluses (Retro + )
• Player Exclusives (PE)
• Samples