Nike introduced the Air Jordan basketball shoe in 1985.
Nike developed the shoe for Chicago Bulls rookie Michael Jordan, whose first NBA season began in 1984–85. The original model was the Air Jordan 1, designed by Peter Moore and released to consumers in 1985. Its marketing connected a professional athlete’s identity with a dedicated footwear line.
The shoe’s black-and-red colorway became especially famous because the NBA reportedly objected to the uniform colors under its dress rules. The story is often simplified as a fine for wearing the shoe, but the exact details of the league’s policy and Nike’s advertising have been debated.
Air Jordan later became a major brand within Nike, extending beyond basketball shoes into apparel and lifestyle products. The line is distinct from Nike’s broader Air technology family, which includes many shoes without the Jordan branding.