Sports
Air Jordan power rankings: Which shoe is tops as the brand celebrates 40 years?
The fun part about ranking the best Air Jordan signature shoe of all time is there is no right or wrong list.
But who am I kidding? Plenty of people will have something to say.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Air Jordan signature shoe. The 40th edition of the shoe is expected to be released later this year.
The Jordan Brand has grown beyond just a basketball shoe. It has its own signature athletes, including current NBA stars Luka Dončić and Jayson Tatum. The brand has crossed over into multiple sports and become a fashion staple.
Does a suit appear dressed down if it’s matched with a fresh pair of Jordans? Thirty years ago, maybe. Not anymore.
Travis Kelce wears a custom Thom Browne suit, including a Camel Hair Engineered 4-Bar Classic Sport Coat (sold out) with a 4-Bar Striped Docker Hat (sold out) and Nike Air Jordan 3 Retro Sneakers arriving at Arrowhead Stadium pic.twitter.com/IfQTOYNh6D
— Style by Kelce (@StyleByKelce) January 26, 2025
I tend to favor the shoes Jordan wore during his career, but that doesn’t dismiss all the versions that have been released since 1985. I’ve also worn plenty of of his shoes that weren’t a part of his playing career.
With that said, as we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Air Jordan, here are my top 10 iterations, working from the bottom to my all-time favorite:
Spike Lee helped introduce the world to this shoe as Mars Blackmon in the Nike commercials. It also received love on prime time television weekly as the shoe Will Smith wore for the intro scene for the sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” Legendary shoe designer Tinker Hatfield, who designed the iterations from the Jordan 3 to the Jordan 15, was inspired by a World War II fighter plane, using the plane’s shark-tooth design to create a similar design for the shoe’s midsoles.
The 1992 Barcelona Olympics shoe! The Dream Team edition! This is the shoe Jordan wore to help lead Team USA to an easy run through Olympic competition, capped with a convincing gold-medal win over Croatia.
The 1992 men’s basketball Olympic gold-medal game saw Jordan, wearing his Jordan 7 shoes, against Croatia guard Drazen Petrovic. (Richard Mackson / USA Today)
This shoe also didn’t feature Nike or the Swoosh on the exterior of the shoe. It did feature the Jumpman logo. This was definitely a “Jordan” shoe.
It’s also the shoe Jordan wore when he appeared in the “Jam” music video — and got some dance lessons from Michael Jackson.
This version was unlike any other to this point in multiple ways. The crisscrossed straps and velcro gave the shoe a different look. The paint-style design on the side was nice, and the chenille Jordan logo on the tongue was a bold change.
Jordan won his third championship in this shoe, beating the Phoenix Suns and Charles Barkley — whose Air Max shoe from that 1992-93 season also is one of the better shoes of the era.
7. Jordan 1
The OG of the line has aged gracefully. It’s simple, but in 1985, there was nothing quite like it on the market.
No sneaker collection is complete without a pair, given its simplicity and versatility. Wearing a suit? Jeans and a blazer? Sweatsuit? These shoes work with everything.
This was designed to celebrate Jordan’s career, as it was released during the 1994-95 season (Jordan returned to the NBA after a stint in baseball on March 1995). The sole of each shoe has 10 separate accomplishments from Jordan’s career.
The style feels like an intentional precursor to the Jordan 11, even if it’s not. Meanwhile, Jordan returned following a brief retirement on March 18 and scored 55 against the New York Knicks 10 days later wearing the shoe.
5. Jordan 13
The shoe was released and worn during Jordan’s final season. The hologram on the ankle was done to resemble the eye of a panther and was a unique addition to the line.
The outsole is meant to resemble a panther’s paw. Jordan making his final shot as a Bull in this shoe adds to its significance.
This style gave us the renowned “flu game” shoe. What many don’t know was that the shoe drew inspiration from the Japanese flag.
It’s also a shoe that led to some nice player-edition models. Gary Payton wore wore versions of these with the Lakers that were popular with those who didn’t want a pair with the classic colorway.
This shoe was a big part of 1989. Bulls fans will remember (and Cleveland Cavaliers fans choose to forget) Jordan hitting “The Shot” in these shoes on May 7, 1989.
The shoe also brings back nostalgia from Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing.” It was the shoe that Buggin’ Out (played by Giancarlo Esposito) wore when they were scuffed a brownstone tenant wearing a Larry Bird jersey named Clifton (played by John Savage), who had recently moved to Brooklyn.
This shoe was the second designed by Hatfield. It was also the first of the signature line that was globally released.
2. Jordan 3
This was the first shoe designed by Hatfield. This also is the shoe Jordan used to edge Dominique Wilkins in the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk Contest in Chicago, a contest that produced multiple highlights and several future wall posters.
The shoe also elevated the game in terms of marketing. The Jumpman logo first appeared on the Jordan 3 in 1988. The elephant print on the shoe is still a topic of discussion among sneakerheads. Jordan once said the Jordan 3 shoe is his second favorite.
His favorite, as is mine?
If there is a Mount Rushmore of sneakers, this shoe is on it.
What’s the best Air Jordan 11 to drop in the last four years? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/gSYyM0blr7
— House of Heat° (@houseofheat) April 3, 2025
The Concord, a version with a white base featuring black patent leather, is one of the most iconic shoes ever. Jordan wore this shoe during the Bulls’ historic 72-10 regular season that culminated with the 1996 NBA Championship.
There’s also the Space Jam version of the shoe Jordan wore in the “Space Jam” movie. That shoe is all black with accents of blue, just as revered as the Concord. The Cool Grey also is a very popular colorway with sneakerheads.
Both are fancy enough to wear with a suit or even a tuxedo, which many people have done since their release. There really isn’t a colorway of the Jordan 11 that isn’t a must have.
(Top photo: Matt Jelonek / Getty Images)
Sports
Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter: Dodgers celebrate World Series repeat, NFL trade deadline frenzy
Los Angeles Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw holds the trophy as the Dodgers celebrate their win in Game 7 of baseball’s World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Welcome to the Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
ALL EYES ON MLB – According to FOX Sports, 25,984,000 viewers tuned into Game 7 across FOX, FOX Deportes and FOX Sports streaming services. The company said it was the most-watched World Series game since Game 7 of the 2017 World Series. Continue reading …
WORLD SERIES MVP – Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched all nine innings in Game 2. He threw six innings in Game 6, and went 2 ⅔ innings in Game 7 to secure the Dodgers’ second consecutive championship. Yamamoto became the second Japanese-born player to earn World Series MVP honors. Continue reading …
THREE’S A CHARM – Shohei Ohtani has two World Series rings in his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. But the two-way Japanese superstar already has his sights set on a potential trifecta. Continue reading …
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani acknowledges the crowd during the World Series championship parade at downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)
‘THE TRUTH’ – The Baltimore Ravens bolstered their pass rush by picking up Dre’Mont Jones. The Tennessee Titans received a conditional draft pick in exchange for Jones, who praised the Tennessee rookie quarterback. “Cam is the truth too y’all give ‘em time, he can be great,” Jones said. Continue reading …
MAKING MOVES – The Philadelphia Eagles acquired Pro Bowl defensive back Jaire Alexander from the Baltimore Ravens in a swap of draft picks a few days before the NFL trade deadline. Continue reading …
SELL MODE – The New York Jets were involved in a series of blockbuster trades leading up to Tuesday’s deadline. New York sent All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys. In a separate deal, Sauce Gardner was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a player and two first-round draft picks. Continue reading …
New York Jets helmets during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Aug. 17, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports)
‘HE’S A BUM’ – The Cowboys dropped Monday’s game to the Cardinals, falling to 3-5-1 on the season. Dak Prescott finished the night with 259 passing yards. While the Cowboys’ offense has been a strong point this season, Draymond Green criticized Prescott and questioned his ability to ever win a championship. Continue reading …
FROM FOX SPORTS – The flurry of activity by the Dallas Cowboys leading up to this year’s NFL trade deadline prompted an animated reaction from Dak Prescott. “I’m f—— pumped. You can quote me on that,” the Pro Bowl quarterback said. Continue reading …
FROM OUTKICK – Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels fell to the turf in pain late in the 38-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He was diagnosed with a dislocated elbow and could return before season’s end, though the team must decide whether to play him again. Continue reading …
WATCH NOW – The Bills beat the Chiefs in Week 9 in Josh Allen’s fifth consecutive regular-season win against Patrick Mahomes. FOX Sports’ “First Things First” crew asked if the Bills are Super Bowl contenders. They also discussed the Los Angeles Dodgers defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series. Watch here …
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Former USC and NFL linebacker Keith Browner died Tuesday morning in San Leandro, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Bureau confirmed Wednesday. He was 63.
Keith Browner Jr. told TMZ that he talked to his father Monday night when the elder Browning was having stomach problems, vomiting and feeling tired. Browner Jr. said his father told him he would go to the hospital the next morning.
Browner was getting ready to go to the hospital Tuesday morning, according to TMZ, “when he curled over the side of a chair and collapsed to the floor next to his girlfriend.” TMZ also reported that “it appears” Browner suffered a heart attack and that his death was “unexpected and sudden.”
Alameda County authorities provided no cause of death Wednesday.
Born in Warren, Ohio, Browner was the fifth of six brothers, all of whom played college football and four of whom went on to play in the NFL. A second-round pick (30th overall) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1984, Browner also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders and San Diego Chargers during a five-year NFL career.
Oldest brother Ross Browner spent 10 years in the NFL, playing for the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers. Jimmie Browner Jr. played two years with the Bengals. Joey Browner was a six-time Pro Bowl player who spent nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and one with the Buccaneers.
Browner Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps as a college and pro football player. A standout defensive end at Dorsey High, Browner Jr. played three seasons at California and one season with the Houston Texans.
A nephew, Ross Browner’s son Max Starks, played nine years for the Pittsburgh Steelers and one for the St. Louis Rams.
Browner — who was 14 when his father, Jimmie, died of cancer at age 49 — said his mother Julia was the driving force behind her sons’ passion for the sport.
“She’s the one who always urged us to play,” he told the Dayton Daily News in 2023, “and sometimes she’d be right out there with us in the yard when we were having pick-up games.”
A three-sport standout at Warren Harding High, Browner spent four seasons at USC (1980-83), overlapping with brother Joey for the first three. He was named a captain for his final season and finished his college career with six interceptions in 34 games played.
Browner made the NFL’s all-rookie team in 1984. After three years with the Buccaneers, he split the 1987 season between the 49ers and Raiders before spending his final NFL season with the Chargers.
He finished his NFL career with 10.5 sacks, four interceptions (including one returned 55 yards for the Chargers against the Seattle Seahawks in 1988) and five fumble recoveries, then played two seasons in the Canadian Football League and six in the Arena Football League.
Browner is survived by his son and four daughters.
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The first College Football Playoff rankings have been released, and the reigning champions are atop the pack.
The Ohio State Buckeyes were ranked first when ESPN unveiled the projected 12-team bracket Tuesday night. The 2024 champions, who defeated Notre Dame in the championship game earlier this year, have been stellar with an 8-0 start to no one’s surprise.
But perhaps one of the best storylines this season comes from the No. 2 team in the rankings, the Indiana Hoosiers. Head coach Curt Cignetti’s group has been phenomenal to start the year, and they’re leading the Big Ten with a 9-0 record behind the play of Heisman candidate quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day watches during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign Oct. 11, 2025. (IMAGN)
Rounding out the top four seeds, who will all get a bye in the first round of the CFP, are No. 3 Texas A&M and No. 4 Alabama.
The SEC is represented well in the debut rankings. Georgia comes in at No. 5, followed by Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels at No. 6.
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Rounding out the top 10 are BYU, the No. 7 team that leads the Big 12 with a perfect 8-0 record; Texas Tech; Oregon; and the Fighting Irish at No. 10.
Notre Dame may have lost its first two games of the season, but the Irish have ripped off six straight wins as an at-large team. Their first two losses came against the Aggies and No. 18 Miami in their opener.
Speaking of the Hurricanes, they have the same number of losses as the Fighting Irish, but their recent overtime loss to SMU dropped them in the rankings.
Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin watches his team play against Oklahoma during the first half in Norman, Okla., Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Right on the cusp are Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns at No. 11, especially given the team’s win over No. 16 Vanderbilt. The No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners are close as well.
Given that each Power Four conference will have a representative, Virginia, the leader in the ACC, comes in at No. 14. With all top 25 teams coming from a Power Four conference, the CFP committee had Memphis as the top team from the Group of Five.
However, this isn’t the same format as previous college football seasons because the committee is using a straight seeding model this time. The top four teams in the final ranking, no matter what conference they play in, will receive a first-round bye.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith celebrates a catch against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus Nov. 1, 2025. (Imagn)
With the current rankings, Memphis would face Georgia, Virginia would play Ole Miss, Notre Dame would travel to BYU and Oregon would take on Texas Tech.
Of course, this is just the first of many rankings to come. The bracket will be finalized Dec. 7, the day after conference championship games.
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