The history of Michael Jordan's signature Nike basketball shoe line spans more than three decades, across the country, around the globe, and from the hardcourt to the red carpet on the feet of everyone from NBA legends to the person standing next to you. The collection is as diverse as each model's colorway, silhouette and the people that wear them, making the line and Jordan Brand one of the most recognized and revered sneaker brands in the world.
From humble beginnings in the Tar Heel state to becoming a household name, Michael Jordan's legacy endures with each new generation of junior sneaker lovers and little dribblers. Today, you can find a Jordan for everyone in your life with Hibbett | City Gear's diverse lineup of Jordan shoes in a range of sizes for men, women and kids. We’re constantly offering fresh retro re-releases, hot new colorways and classic standbys.
The Jordan Legacy Backstory
In 1985, Nintendo released its first entertainment system in the United States, the comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes" began to appear in newspapers; oh, and a little Chicago Bulls baller named Michael Jordan was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year.
When talk of signing to a brand began at age 18, MJ had his sights on joining forces adidas, though his college game shoe of choice was the high top Converse Chuck Taylor. But adidas didn't offer him the chance, and Converse didn't offer enough compared to the $500,000 a year cash deal he signed with Nike in 1984. The following year, His Airness took to the court in a pair of the infamous black and red Air Jordan 1s, and the rest is history.
A Jordan Sneaker for Every Generation
The Nike Air Ship predates the OG Air Jordan basketball shoe by one on-court appearance and is the shoe from which designer Peter Moore drew inspiration for the Air Jordan 1 now known 'round the world. Unlike any sneaker before it, the Jordan 1 was edgy, stylized and built specifically to cater to His Airness' gravity-defying on-court abilities. The OG high tops offered a seamless blend of ageless style, unheard of performance technology and all-day comfort. Even today, the sneakers continue to break barriers and blow expectations away by offering cutting-edge shoe innovation, a smooth ride and an unrelenting commitment to excellence on and off the court.
By 1988, Michael Jordan's fame had extended beyond the hardcourt and onto the silver screen as stars donned his kicks in Blockbuster films, music videos and more. Ten years later, Jordan products had earned Nike $100 million. By Dec. 19, 1997, Jordan Brand, a Nike subsidiary, celebrated its first $1 billion-quarter. And 30 years after the release of Michael Jordan's first signature shoe, his brand commanded nearly 60% of market share in the U.S.'s $4.2 billion basketball shoe industry.
Standout Jordan Sneaker Styles
As of January 2020, 34 unique Air Jordan models have been released, and hundreds more in Retro versions and countless exclusive colorways. Standouts in the collection include the Jordan 3, the first shoe to feature the Jumpman design trademark and the first to sport a mid top height, the Air Jordan 11, which saw MJ return to the NBA after his short-lived retirement and minor league baseball career, and the AJ 18 in which the Black Cat scored the final points of his NBA career.
Jordan Brand footwear also extends beyond Air Jordan line, now featuring shoes like the Jordan Dub Zero, the Jordan "Why Not?" collection, Jordan True Flight and more.
Shop Jordan Shoes at Hibbett | City Gear
Shop Air Jordan basketball shoes, Jordan causal and training shoes, and all the retro styles you want at Hibbett | City Gear, where you can find a full lineup of Jordan Brand footwear for the littlest feet to the biggest, in men’s, women’s, boys’ and girls’ sizing.
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