Michael Jordan is considered the best basketball player in the history of the NBA. Beyond that, he is known for his success in the sneaker industry with his trademark brand Air Jordan. People from around the world recognize Michael Jordan because of this, even without having to watch clips of his games. During his professional career, he was awarded multiple MVPs and NBA Championships, along with two gold medals from the Olympics in the 90s.
He became an icon not just in the basketball industry, but the sneakers market. According to CNN Money, Michael Jordan is one of the 290 newly-minted billionaires on Forbes’ annual list of people. Jordan amassed his $1 billion fortune partly through his endorsement deal with Nike.
The most memorable pair of shoes that Jordan has in his collection are the Air Jordan I Black/Red, released in 1985, the same year that Jordan was rookie of the year and played in the All-Star game. Surprisingly, the Air Jordan 1 was the first shoe to be worn in the NBA with multiple colors. The original Air Jordan 1 was released at $65.00. The same pair was re-released in 1994, 2001, 2003 and 2004.
Another pair that captured attention was the Air Jordan 4 Black/Cement Grey- Fire Red. It was the first in the line that had an over-molded mesh. The designer dipped the mesh in a soft plastic and blew air through it to clear out the plastic in between. When the shoe was released in 1989, people disliked because they said it looked ugly. However, in time, it gained popularity and currently sells for $125.00 – $175.00.
The third pair is the Jordan 3 White/Cement, which were released in 1987-1988. It was in these years that Jordan shined on the court. He won the Slam Dunk contest, All Star MVP, All-Defensive First Team and Defensive Player of the Year. Through all this success, he was wearing the Air Jordan 3. In 2001 and 2003 when the Air Jordan 3 was re-released, the price tag was $100.00, but it currently retails for $160.00.
Jordan’s success in sales shows that he is more than just an athlete. With a notable name and devoted fans, he was able to turn something as simple as a sneaker into a large-scale industry. Visit the official website to order your very own pair of Air Jordans or find a store near you that sells them.
Sneakersity 