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Introduction of the Air Jordan 11 Marks the Return of MJ
The AJ 11 is arguably one of the most popular and beloved Air Jordan styles of all time. This hugely successful Tinker Hatfield-designed model represents Michael Jordan's return to the NBA in 1996 and was worn by MJ during the record-breaking 72-10 season when the Chicago Bulls won their fourth NBA title. It's also notable for being the first Air Jordan to feature Cordura nylon, a carbon fiber plate and foot-conforming patent leather.
The on-court debut of the Air Jordan XI Concord set off a frenzy of anticipation until the sneaker hit retailers later that year. Other colorways and silhouettes soon followed.
In 2000, Air Jordan 11 Retro releases kicked off—and the collection is still going strong with new iterations introduced almost every year. The Air Jordan 11 lineup—OG or Retro, mid or low, "Concord," "Bred" or "Space Jam"—is sought after by sneakerheads everywhere.
History of the Air Jordan XI
In 1995, Michael Jordan announced his departure from baseball and return to the NBA with two simple words: "I'm back." Reunited with the Chicago Bulls midseason, MJ stepped onto the court during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals wearing a distinct pair of new Air Jordan Xs. In contrast to his teammates' black shoes, Jordan's sneakers (prototypes emblazoned with 45 to match his new jersey number) were predominantly white. The shiny patent leather with a show-stopping Concord Purple overlay violated uniform rules, and he was fined $5,000. That created a cultural moment and set the stage for the launch of the Air Jordan 11 Concord, which landed in stores that November and featured MJ's reinstated number 23.
1996 saw the release of four more Air Jordan 11 variations:
- The Blue/White Air Jordan 11 Columbia that Jordan wore during the 1996 All-Star Game.
- The Black/Red ("Bred") Air Jordan 11 that MJ sported during the 1996 NBA Finals when the Chicago Bulls clinched their fourth championship.
- The Grey/Cobalt and Black/Red colorways of the Air Jordan XI Low IE, a low-cut style that traded the signature patent leather mudguard for a lightweight, breathable mesh.
- The Black Jordan 11s that MJ wore in the animated movie, Space Jam. One of the most famous colorways of 1996, it wasn't even available for sale.
In 2000, the Jordan Brand launched the Air Jordan 11 Retro series, starting with the Air Jordan 11 Retro Concord edition in honor of the style's first colorway. The Air Jordan 11 Retro Space Jam quickly followed.
Jordan 11 Retro styles have seen incredible success. In 2008, the tradition of an Air Jordan 11 Holiday release began and continues to this day.
Jordan 11: A Cultural Influence Then and Now
It's hard to overstate the impact the Jordan 11 sneakers have had on popular culture. The OG Concord was the must-have shoe of its era, coveted by celebrities and Jordan fans alike. Due to its dressier appeal, the shoe was frequently paired with formal attire and could often be spotted at red carpet events. While standout style is common today, this was a bold style statement at the time.
The popularity of the Air Jordan XI hasn't diminished in current sneaker culture and celebrity circles. Some of the biggest names in sports, music, film, television and fashion have all stepped out wearing a pair of Air Jordan 11 kicks—including Will Smith, Dwyane Wade, Jay-Z and Tom Cruise.
Timeline of Air Jordan 11 Releases
Air Jordan 11 Design: Construction and Colorways
The Jordan 11 OG was one of the most technologically advanced sneakers of its time. However, it also represented a design shift from a strictly athletic Jordan sneaker to one that could also serve as a fashionable dress shoe. The AJ 11 was the first Air Jordan to feature patent leather, which added a dressier look and provided superb foot support on the court due to its lightweight and flexible performance. It was also the first to include a full-length carbon fiber shank that provides incredibly strong support without added weight.
Additional design characteristics of the Air Jordan XI:
Patent leather mudguard
Tear-resistant Cordura ballistic nylon
Speed-lacing system with nylon webbing loops
Translucent "icy" rubber outsoles
Mid-top or low-top options
Popular Air Jordan 11 Colorways:
- Concord: White/Black
- Playoffs Bred: Black/Red/White
- Space Jam: Black/White
- Columbia: White/Blue
- Defining Moments Pack (DMP): Similar to Concord but with gold details
- Cool Grey: Gray/White
- Countdown Pack (CDP): Collezione 11/12
Price, Value and Collectability of the Air Jordan XI
Jordan 11s almost always garner more than their retail price due to their popularity and collectability. Air Jordan 11 OGs and earlier versions of Air Jordan Retros originally retailed for $125, while Lows sold for slightly less. From 2009 on, new Jordan 11s typically retailed for $175, with Lows coming in at about $30 to $50 cheaper. Then there are the special two-pair packs like the DMP or CDP, which run closer to $300 each.
It's not uncommon to see the average resale value of certain Air Jordan 11 styles priced at two, three or even four times their retail price. And this can skyrocket to four figures for highly coveted colorways. Of course, there's a significant price difference between new Jordan 11s (sometimes referred to as deadstock) and used Jordan 11s sold on the secondary market.
Two notably rare and expensive Air Jordan 11 sneakers are never-released, special-edition samples valued in the five-figure range:
- Air Jordan 11 Retro Silver Anniversary with Jumpman logo – only 25 pairs made
- Air Jordan 11 Retro Premium Derek Jeter – only 5 pairs made, awarded to scratch-ticket winners
