When the Air Jordan 7 was first released in 1992, it sold for $125. This iconic sneaker now has a resale value averaging 5-10 times its initial retail price—making it a favorite among sneakerheads.
The initial AJ 7 model was conceived by designer Tinker Hatfield for Jordan to wear in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, alongside fellow Dream Team members Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing.
During the team's gold medal run, Jordan wore an Air Jordan VII original model, which featured his Olympic number 9 in place of the number 23, MJ's original NBA jersey number.
The AJ 7 was the first Air Jordan to exclude the prominent Nike branding and vented airway. African tribal prints inspired its design and color detailing with a neoprene bootie interior-lined construction.
The OG collection comes in 5 colorways:
In 2002, Nike launched the Air Jordan 7 Retro for a short-lived release, a decade after the original silhouette's debut. It was offered in Charcoal, an original colorway, and French Blue, the first new color since the OG collection's initial release.
Two years later, the brand brought back the 7 Retro in a limited release. Then, in 2006, another 7 Retro collection launched, with Nike expanding the line to six colorways, adding two LS versions, followed by the reissue of the original Cardinal colorway and an exclusive women's style. This release included the much sought-after Chambray colorway.
In 2008, the brand launched the exclusive Jordan VII Retro "Miro" for its Olympic Celebration collection. The Metallic Gold/Red colorway was inspired by the famous Spanish painter Joan Miro. This shoe continues to be one of the rarest Air Jordan 7s on the market and bears an artistic homage to the glory days of the shoe brand's genesis moment.
The Air Jordan 7's illustrious history is impressive:
Michael Jordan, the MVP player of the year, wore the VII on the cover of the June 1992 Sports Illustrated issue to celebrate the Chicago Bulls winning the 1992 NBA finals against the Portland Trail Blazers—which inspired the OG Raptor colorway.
In 1991, MJ rocked the AJ 7 in an iconic 1992 commercial showcasing Bugs Bunny in his Hare Jordans.
The Air Jordan 7 Marvin the Martian design hit the shelves in 2015 in advance of Space Jam's 20th anniversary, and a dedicated Space Jam Collection was launched in 2016.
True Flights bore a distinct resemblance to the Jordan 7 model. However, key differences can be found in the upper, the lining and the sole traction. True Flights may lack the cultural cachet and significance of the Air Jordan 7, but they're a more affordable substitute for the collectible Jordan 7 OG and Retro models.
As a highly coveted item on the sneaker marketplace, there are crucial features to look out for to confirm the pair you're purchasing is an authentic Air Jordan VII:
Attention all sneakerheads and basketball fans! Read all about the oldest and latest Jordan releases on the eBay Sneaker Hub. From iconic retro styles to new collaborations, you'll find everything you need to know to complete your Jordan collection.
