Nike Air Ship Shoes
The Air Ship was created by Bruce Kilgore in 1984, and it is arguably Nike’s most controversial sneaker. For decades, Nike crafted the narrative that the Air Jordan 1 was “banned” by the NBA; in reality, the NBA fined Jordan for wearing black and red Air Ships (that failed to comply with uniform requirements). The rookie sensation played in the Air Ships for months while the Air Jordan 1 was under development, debunking Nike’s claims. After years in archives, brought back the Air Ship in 2020. Find the actual “Banned” Air Ship and others here.
Before the Air Jordan 1, there was the Nike Air Ship - a basketball sneaker that carries with it a great deal of history. Debuting in 1984, it was the shoe that Michael Jordan initially wore in his rookie year before his signature line was introduced.
The silhouette of the Nike Air Ship bears a striking resemblance to the Air Jordan 1, with a similar structure and mid-cut design. This shoe, in many ways, laid the groundwork for what was to become the iconic Air Jordan 1. It boasted a leather upper, classic Nike swoosh, and a Nike Air midsole - something that was a novelty at that time.
One significant moment in the Air Ship's history was when it was reportedly banned by the NBA because its black and red colorway violated the league's uniform policy. This controversial event was leveraged by Nike in a marketing campaign that would fuel the Air Jordan legacy.
The Nike Air Ship is less known than the AJ1, but it's seen by sneaker enthusiasts as a crucial part of the Air Jordan narrative. Its retro release in 2020 - particularly the 'New Beginnings' colorway - sparked a significant interest among sneaker collectors who valued the shoe's heritage.
Originally priced modestly as a standard basketball shoe, the recent retros, especially the 'New Beginnings' Pack, can fetch over $1000 due to their rarity and historical significance. Discover the origins of the Jordan legend with the Nike Air Ship.
