Michael Jordan is one of the most widely recognized and appreciated basketball players of all time. Many fans, players, and members of the media consider him to be the single greatest player of all time. Back in the 1980s, the sporting goods company Nike saw His Airness's amazing talent, and asked him to represent the company with his very own line of Michael Jordan shoes.

From the very beginning, Nike Air Jordans set the bar for performance and style. In their first year of production, Nike made more then $100 million off the sale of these popular shoes. In 1985, when Air Jordans were introduced, basketball shoes were white. The black-and-red colorway of Air Jordan shoes was so revolutionary they were initially banned by the NBA.

A newly designed pair of Nike Air Jordans has been introduced every year since they were first introduced in 1985. Over the years Nike has created innovative new designs and performance enhancing elements like breathable mesh, neoprene sock liners, and stabilization straps. Jordan's success as a player created lasting demand for his shoes. During his illustrious career, Jordan earned everything from the league Rookie of the Year award to an Olympic Gold Medal.

Over the years Air Jordans have set the bar for style. The hip-hop community and the fashion world alike have embraced these shoes for their looks, attitude and comfort. From the original black and red pair to the jazz-inspired comeback pair Jordan wore when he scored the 30,000th point of his career, Air Jordans have remained consistently trendy.