Michael Jordan's 1985 Player Sample Air Jordan 1s

The Air Jordan 1 is the most iconic sneaker ever made, and these Vintage Original 1985 Player Exclusives were crafted specifically for Michael Jordan. Made in the legendary Chicago Bulls colorway—white, black, and red, Nike code 4280—this is the version Jordan wore most frequently on court. The left shoe is size 13 and the right is size 13.5, reflecting Jordan’s asymmetrical fit. The medial side of the left shoe bears his bold signature in black permanent marker, authenticated by JSA.

Tagged “850204 TYPS,” the code indicates production between February and April 1985 at the Tong Yang Factory (TYPS denoting Tong Yang Player Sample). Unlike retail Highs and Lows released to the public, Jordan’s custom pairs were Mids. They feature longer, leaner, and more aggressive Swooshes, and are crafted from a premium soft and buttery leather distinct from the stiffer materials of public releases. The shoes remain in exceptional condition, with some very slight oxidization from age, and are unlaced from the factory with both black and white laces included.

In 1984, Nike gave Michael Jordan his own signature line of shoes and apparel—an unprecedented move that proved pivotal in securing his endorsement. The term “Air Jordan” was coined by Jordan’s agent, David Falk, who originally proposed naming the shoes Michael Jordan. When Nike requested an alternative, Falk suggested Air Jordan, a nod both to Nike’s Air cushioning technology and to Jordan’s gravity-defying play style.

Designed by Peter Moore, the Air Jordan 1s are the most important basketball sneakers of all time. The Air Jordan 1s —originally known simply as the Air Jordans—featured the first Nike Air Jordan logo, the now-iconic “Wings” logo. Jordan first debuted the Air Jordan 1 on November 17, 1984, against the Philadelphia 76ers. He wore them through October 29, 1985, when he broke his foot and missed 64 games. Jordan wore a modified version of the Air Jordan 1 when he returned in 1986.

At the time of their release, basketball shoes were generally manufactured in a color scheme limited to white with an accent of black, grey, navy, or occasionally red. Breaking tradition, NIKE released 20 colorways of the Original Air Jordans, drastically broadening the color spectrum of basketball shoes and revolutionizing basketball footwear. In February of 1985, the NBA sent a letter to Nike informing the company that Jordan’s black and red shoes were banned for violating uniform rules. Nike famously responded with its “Banned” ad campaign, declaring that while the league could stop MJ from wearing them, “they can’t stop you.”

The success of the Air Jordan 1 led Nike to release a new model each season—a tradition that continues today with the Air Jordan 40. While countless retros and collaborations have followed, the original 1985 Player Exclusives made for Michael Jordan remain the most coveted of all, representing the birth of the modern sneaker era and one of the most influential designs in sports and fashion history.

From their inception, Air Jordans have stood as the pinnacle of sneaker design—unmatched in quality, craftsmanship, innovation, performance, and unmistakable style. Quite simply, there is nothing cooler than a pair of Air Jordans.

This lot is accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from JSA for the signature.