The world of basketball has seen a significant transformation not only in the way the game is played but also in the fashion associated with it. From the uniforms to the sneakers, the NBA has become a breeding ground for style, creativity, and the intersection of sports and pop culture.
Air Jordan I: The Sneaker That Started It All
Ranked at No. 4 on the SLAMKICKS Top 100 list of greatest basketball sneakers of all time, the Air Jordan I kickstarted the most popular signature sneaker line in hoops history: Air Jordans. This iconic shoe redefined the sport’s connection with style and was responsible for the beginning of the basketball sneaker industry as we know it today. With its multiple colors and unique design, the Air Jordan I was among the first pairs to be worn in the NBA, violating the League’s uniform policy at the time and earning Michael Jordan a $5,000 fine every time he stepped on the court.
Record-Breaking Auctions and the Rise of Sneaker Culture
As sneakers became more popular, they also became valuable collector’s items. In 2023, Sotheby’s auctioned Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals Game 2 Air Jordan XIIIs for a record-breaking $2.2 million, making them one of the most expensive Michael Jordan items ever sold at auction. This sale coincided with the release of the film Air, which tells the story of Nike’s rise to sneaker dominance through its partnership with Michael Jordan.
Nike Dunk Low: A Staple of the Streets, Fashion, and Art
Another popular sneaker in the market is the Nike Dunk Low, which has seen numerous colorways, variations in material, and collaborations over time. First released in 1985 as a basketball sneaker, its flat and grippy soles were perfect for skaters, and it has since become a staple of the streets, fashion, and art. The upcoming release of the Nike Dunk Low “Obsidian UNC” shoes, inspired by UNC and the Memphis Grizzlies, is expected to drop in the coming months of 2023 with a retail price tag of $110 per pair.
The Multibillion-Dollar Business of Sneaker Culture
Sneaker culture has grown into a multibillion-dollar business, with sneakers becoming status symbols, conversation pieces, and fashion statements. The global sneaker market was valued at approximately $79 billion in 2020, and sneakers have moved from items used primarily for sports to occupying significant space in our closets and storage units. Fashion historian Elizabeth Semmelhack studies the history of fashion and footwear, highlighting the importance of sneakers in modern culture and their evolution from humble beginnings as rubber sap harnesses.
