Michael Jordan is one of the most iconic figures in basketball history. As a player, he won 6 NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the game. After retiring from the NBA, Jordan became the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets. However, most people recognize Michael Jordan for his incredibly popular Air Jordan sneaker line produced by Nike.
When did the Air Jordan line start?
The Air Jordan line first debuted in 1985 with the release of the Air Jordan 1. At the time, NBA rules prohibited players from wearing shoes that didn’t align with their team colors. However, Nike negotiated with the league to allow Jordan to wear his iconic black and red Air Jordan 1s. This sneaker line was inspired by Jordan’s play style and was a new concept at the time. Before Jordan, most basketball sneakers were white and lacked player personalization.
How many Air Jordan models have there been?
Since 1985, Nike has released 36 different Air Jordan models. Each model is numbered chronologically based on release date. Some of the most iconic Air Jordan sneakers include:
- Air Jordan 1
- Air Jordan 3
- Air Jordan 4
- Air Jordan 11
- Air Jordan 12
In addition to numbered entries, Jordan Brand has produced other sneaker lines endorsed by Michael Jordan. This includes sneakers under Jordan sub-brands like Jordan Jumpman and Jordan Dub Zero.
What factors make a Jordan release rare?
There are several factors that contribute to a Jordan sneaker’s rarity and collectability:
- Limited quantities – Jordans produced in smaller quantities are harder to find.
- Collaborations – Jordans designed in partnership with brands like Eminem, Drake, Travis Scott tend to be rare.
- Player exclusives – Special Jordans made just for certain athletes are very exclusive.
- Retro releases – Re-released original colorways in limited quantities.
- Samples – Prototype/sample Jordans that never made it to production.
What is the rarest Air Jordan sneaker?
Based on availability and current resell prices, the rarest and most valuable Air Jordan is considered to be the Air Jordan 12 OVO collaboration.
Air Jordan 12 OVO (Drake)
- Collaboration with rapper Drake’s OVO brand
- Features gold accents and OVO owl logos
- Only 12 pairs produced and given to Drake’s close friends in 2016
- No public release, making it incredibly exclusive
- Resale price has gone over $100,000 for a brand new pair
Other ultra-rare Jordans include:
| Sneaker | Background | Resale Price |
|---|---|---|
| Air Jordan 1 Eminem Carhartt | Collaboration for rapper Eminem’s DJ, only 50 pairs made | $30,000 |
| Air Jordan 4 Eminem Encore | Made for Eminem’s 2004 Encore album release, only 50 pairs | $20,000 |
| Air Jordan 1 Fragment | 2014 collaboration with Japanese clothing brand Fragment | $10,000 |
Why are retro Jordans so valuable?
When certain Air Jordan models are re-released in their original colorways, they are called “retros.” There are a few reasons why retro Jordans tend to be so valuable and sought-after:
- Nostalgia – People want to re-experience having Jordans from their youth.
- Better quality – Retros can be made with better materials than original releases.
- Limited quantities – Brand only re-releases small amounts, increasing scarcity.
- Iconic status – Certain colorways like the “Bred” Black/Reds are classics.
Die-hard sneaker collectors are willing to pay top dollar to acquire rare, retro Air Jordans in mint condition. Vintage Jordans also have high resale value because of their place in basketball history.
Conclusion
While there are many coveted and valuable Air Jordans, the rarest is considered to be the Air Jordan 12 OVO collaboration. With only 12 pairs made exclusively for Drake’s closest friends, it is virtually impossible for the average sneaker collector to own. Other ultra-rare Jordans include special musician collaborations and player exclusives. However, die-hard Jordan fans also obsess over retro releases of iconic models like the “Bred” Air Jordan 1s. No matter what, Michael Jordan’s shoes will always hold a special place in basketball and sneaker culture.