If you’ve been to our stores in Columbus, or if you follow us on social media, you already know that we’re all about Jordans. We love them, our customers love them even more, and we keep our shelves stocked with new and lightly used pairs.

So let's take a deep dive into their history, the biggest models, and why the resale market in 2025 is still going crazy for Jordans. Let’s get into it.

Michael Jordan’s partnership with Nike in 1984 is the OG of all sneaker collabs. Before MJ, no athlete had a deal like this (one that didn’t just pay a fee but gave him a cut of every shoe sold.) Back then, Nike wasn’t the giant it is today, and although MJ was a rookie, he wasn’t sold on signing with them. But after some convincing (and a $2.5 million contract), he agreed. The result was the Air Jordan 1 which was released in 1985, but it was so bold, that the NBA banned it because its red and black color scheme violated the league's dress code. Nike turned that ban into a marketing masterpiece, and suddenly, everyone wanted a pair.

From there, Jordan Brand took off. The Jumpman logo debuted with the Air Jordan 3, helping cement the line as more than just basketball shoes. By 1997, Jordan Brand officially separated from Nike, running as its own brand, but still owned by Nike. And it didn’t stop at sneakers, Jordan went into athletic wear and streetwear. Today, the brand still dominates, with retro releases, exclusive collabs, and resale prices that often hit a new level of crazy.

Michael Jordan didn’t just slap his name on a shoe and call it a day. Unlike most athletes who just wore whatever a brand gave them, MJ had input on everything from performance features to style and design. Before MJ, athletes just got paid endorsement fees. His deal was different because it gave him a cut of every Air Jordan sold. This set a blueprint for the sneaker industry. Now, every major athlete and artist wants a revenue-sharing deal, not just a paycheck. Think Kanye West with Yeezys or Travis Scott’s Jordan collabs.

The Jumpman logo is one of the most recognizable symbols in sneaker history, but it wasn’t always the case. The first few Air Jordans just had the Nike Swoosh, but in 1988 designer Tinker Hatfield introduced the Jumpman. It was inspired by a photoshoot MJ had done, where he was flying through the air for a dunk. Today, it’s stamped on everything from basketball shoes to streetwear. In 2024, Jordan entered with a valuation of around $6.4 billion. It’s the first personality brand to ever achieve this.

Jordans releases are always hot. But some of the early designs have achieved absolute OG status. Here’s a look:

This was the very first model. As we mentioned earlier in this article, it broke NBA rules and got banned, which makes it super desirable to this day.

The AJ4 went from shoe to a pop culture moment when Spike Lee put them in Do the Right Thing, and MJ made history with “The Shot” over Craig Ehlo.

The Jordan 6 is special because it’s what MJ wore when he won his first NBA title.

MJ wore those when he returned to the NBA in ‘95. He also wore them when he played himself in the 1996 movie “Space Jam”. The AJ11 is a grail for collectors.

When a new pair of Jordans drops, retail prices are usually between $180 and $250. But that’s just the starting point. Some pairs shoot up in value the moment they hit the resale market. A great example is The Dior x Air Jordan 1. It originally retailed at $2,000 but now resells at around $6,000.

While some Jordans remain highly profitable on the resale market, sneaker prices in 2025 are shifting. Nike’s recent 10% drop in sales was partly due to oversaturating the market with too many limited-edition drops. Nike and Jordan Brand are now cutting back on production, which could push resale prices back up. If you want to get your hands on a great pair, hit us up on social media or come see us in-store. We have two locations in Columbus, Ohio: and . We know a lot about Jordans. If you’d like to buy a pair, or if you have a clean, mildly used one to sell, we’re always interested.