The Air Jordan 40 sneaker, commemorating 40 years of Nike’s massive Air Jordan line, which was launched with NBA legend Michael Jordan, is set for release on July 12. Inspired by seven other Air Jordans, the 40 is the first Nike shoe to feature full-length ZoomX foam and a full-length Zoom Strobel unit.
What began with the Air Jordan 1 has evolved into an enduring franchise that has shaped sneaker culture, basketball, and the world of athletic deals.
Ahead of the release of the milestone Air Jordan 40, FN looks back at Michael Jordan’s on-court sneaker style — from his college days in Converse to his successive Air Jordans throughout his NBA days. Between 1984 and 2003, he played fifteen seasons before his final retirement, notably winning six championships as part of the Chicago Bulls and playing with the “Dream Team” during the 1992 Summer Olympics. See the sneakers that were part of his journey below.
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Michael Jordan’s On-Court Sneaker Style
Image Credit: Focus on Sport via Getty Images University of North Carolina’s Michael Jordan #23 makes a jump shot wearing white and blue high-top Converse sneakers.
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Michael Jordan’s On-Court Sneaker Style
Image Credit: Focus on Sport via Getty Images Chicago Bulls’ guard Michael Jordan #23 wearing red and white Nike Air Ship sneakers on the court at Chicago Stadium during the 1984-5 season in Chicago, Illinois.
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Michael Jordan’s On-Court Sneaker Style
Image Credit: Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls #23 in action vs Milwaukee Bucks at Bradley Center Milwaukee, WI on Nov. 21, 1984 wearing Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” sneakers.
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Michael Jordan’s On-Court Sneaker Style
Image Credit: Focus on Sport/Getty Images Wearing Air Jordan 2 “Chicago Home” sneakers, Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls shoots a jump shot against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1986 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland.
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Michael Jordan And Deloris Jordan Appear On Superstars And Their Moms
Image Credit: Steve Kagan /ABC via Getty Images Michael Jordan and Deloris Jordon on “Superstars And Their Moms – An ABC Mother’s Day Special” in 1988. Jordan is wearing a pair of Nike Air Alpha Force 88 sneakers.
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Chicago Bulls
Image Credit: Focus on Sport via Getty Images Michael Jordan #23 dribbles wearing Air Jordan 3 sneakers.
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Michael Jordan’s On-Court Sneaker Style
Image Credit: David Madison/Getty Images Wearing Air Jordan 7 sneakers, Michael Jordan #9 of the United States Men’s Olympic basketball team, known as The Dream Team, plays in a quarterfinal game against Puerto Rico on August 4, 1992 at the Pavello Olimpic de Badalona in Barcelona, Spain.
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Michael Jordan’s On-Court Sneaker Style
Image Credit: Allsport USA/Allsport Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls Air Jordan 11 “Concord” sneakers at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida, during the game against the Orlando Magic on Nov. 13, 1995.
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Michael Jordan’s On-Court Sneaker Style
Image Credit: Getty Images A close-up of the Air Jordan 12 “Playoffs” sneakers worn by Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during the NBA All-Star Practice at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Feb. 9, 1997.
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Michael Jordan’s On-Court Sneaker Style
Image Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport Wearing Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” sneakers, Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls takes a shot at the basket during game five of the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 11, 1997.
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Michael Jordan’s On-Court Sneaker Style
Image Credit: WireImage Michael Jordan wearing Air Jordan 17 “College Blue” sneakers.
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Michael Jordan’s On-Court Sneaker Style
Image Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images Wearing Air Jordan 11 “Cool Grey” sneakers, Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards looks to pass the ball against guard Jason Terry #31 of the Atlanta Hawks during the game on December 17, 2002 at Phillips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Michael Jordan is defended by Rick Fox
Image Credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images Wearing Air Jordan 17 “Copper” sneakers, Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards is defended by Rick Fox #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at MCI Center on November 8, 2002 in Washington, D.C.
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Michael Jordan’s On-Court Sneaker Style
Image Credit: G Fiume/Getty Images Wearing Air Jordan 11 “Cool Grey” sneakers, Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards plays against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 25, 2003 at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C.
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Michael Jordan’s On-Court Sneaker Style
Image Credit: G Fiume/Getty Images Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards wearing Air Jordan 18 “White Sport Royal” sneakers during the game against the Orlando Magic on March 11, 2003 at the MCI Center in Washington D.C.
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Michael Jordan’s On-Court Sneaker Style
Image Credit: G Fiume/Getty Images Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards wearing red and white Nike Jumpman Team FBI sneakers during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on April 12, 2003 at the MCI Center in Washington, DC.