Why Are Jordan 1 Retro Shattered Backboards So Expensive?

In the summer of 2015, Nike’s Jordan Brand decided to release the Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboard” colorway that made a huge impression in the sneaker world. These sneakers were very different from the other Jordan colorways as they came with new minor alterations to add to the classic-shoe theme. Sporting a non-OG colorway and a combination of popping colors, quality materials, storytelling, and popping colors, the Jordan 1 Retro Shatter Backboard became one of the most sought-after Air Jordan to date. In this post, we will take a closer look at the Jordan 1 Shattered Backboard and why they are so expensive.

1. They were worn by Jordan during the 1985 exhibition Italy game

According to Stockx, The shattered backboard was a mystery from Michael Jordan’s basketball career. After the shattered backboard release, the leading sportswear company Nike decided to commemorate this special event by releasing the Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboard” sneaker. The sneaker was also the first significant hype for the Air Jordan 1 sneaker launch that introduced the dawn of a new colorway. The release of the Shattered Backboard Air Jordan was much of a historical event that reminisced the actual shattered backboard event in the 1985 exhibition game. In addition to the high quality of the sneaker, the Retro Shattered Backboards are currently the most expensive pair of sneakers worldwide.

2. Various sneaker endorsements

In the late of 1984, Michael Jordan’s agent David Faulk arranged for a sneaker endorsement with Nike because he believed the company would be perfect for Michael Jordan’s basketball career. Since Jordan was hesitant to sign a deal with Nike and instead opted to sign with Converse, Nike claimed they would make him a significant priority and do literally anything to sign him. At the time, Nike was the leading sneaker dealer in basketball history, and Jordan agreeing to them to endorse him would make him the face of their growing basketball sneaker category. After Jordan’s father heard what Nike was offering, he advised Jordan to accept the endorsement as it was the best deal. Although Michael Jordan was still hesitant to sign the contract, he took the endorsement, and the Air Jordan 1 was born.

3. A product of Europe and made using Spanish technology

The Jordan 1 Retro Backboard is a very unique sneaker due to the inclusion of European influences in its final design. The sneaker features new rubber manufacturing techniques invented by a Spanish company and has a luxurious leather upper that originated from Italy. This amazing Italian-made premium sneaker clearly represents Michael Jordan’s gaming style during his legendary basketball career. However, the Shattered Backboard Air Jordan sneakers do not come with swoosh new internal upgrades such as the Dynamic Fit straps available in the recent Air Jordan designs.

4. Prominent OG status

The “Shattered Backboards” Air Jordan 1’s remain the most sought-for sneaker models due to their OG status, appearances on the basketball court, and the numerous exposure they have through TV advertisements and other social media platforms. These sneakers come with custom black and orange tumbled leather covers with smooth, subtle leather hints on the ankle and toe collars. Although many retro sneakers were being remodeled in 2015, the Jordan 1 Retro Backboards displayed a unique level of quality that had never been featured in any previous Jordan models. Furthermore, after Kanye West began rocking Jordan 1 retro sneakers, the shoe was categorized among the high fashion house shoe designs, resulting in a higher price of the Jordan 1 Retro “Shattered Backboard sneakers. With its impressive finishing, the Jordan 1 Retro Shattered sneaker ushered a new level of craftsmanship in the future models of the Air Jordan sneaker series.

5. Michael Jordan’s signature

In 1992, Michael Jordan signed a deal with Upper Deck, giving them exclusive rights to producing MJ’s signed jerseys, sneakers, cards, basketballs, and photos. Through this guarantee of authenticity across the production of Jordan’s memorabilia, he discovered a new way for people to collect autographs. However, his earlier signatures were greatly more valuable than his recent signatures, which were produced on a large scale. The Nike Air Ships and Jordan 1 Shattered Retro both feature Michael Jordan’s earlier signatures and play a major role in the overall pricing of the shoe. Jordan’s signature on the Shattered Backboard Retro Jordan’s are clearly visible, and you can easily read the name Michael Jordan on the sneaker.

6. Reasonably photo-matched

The Retro Backboards are arguably the most extensively photo-matched sports-piece collectibles ever. These luxurious sneakers have an almost unrivaled number of impressive match points (over 30-40) on both shoes. Additionally, the Shattered Backboard Jordan 1’s displays a degree of authenticity and accuracy of provenance that is not present in any other shoe on the market. There is also a piece of glass from the “shattered backboard” exhibition Italy game embedded on the left shoe under-sole. The MJ’s Shattered Backboard Air Jordan 1s boast of many desirable ‍memento attributes that serve as a unique point of comparison to other sports souvenirs with similar attributes and explain their expensive market price. According to Lifestyleasia, the Jordan 1 Retro Backboards are undeniably in a class of its own and are the ideal choice for a devoted memorabilia collector.

7. Has an iconic “Jordan” logo

The silhouette of the NBA all-star Michael Jordan soaring through the air is printed in the Retro Shattered Backboard sneakers. This iconic “Jordan” logo is also easily noticeable in most basketball shoes. However, the first edition of the Air Jordan 1 came with the Nike swoosh, while the second model only had plain walls. The first drawing of the Air Jordan ball-and-wings logo was captured in the spur of the actual moment by NIKE’s Peter Moore.

8. A Staple Skateboarding sneaker

The Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboards” gained a rebellious reputation after being banned from the NBA by commissioner David Stern, who claimed there was not enough white on the sneakers. Nonetheless, Michael Jordan still wore the sneakers, resulting in him being fined around $5,000 every time he wore the shoes to the court. The shoe quickly gained popularity in the skateboarding world, and Nike used this outcast sensibility as a promotional advantage and increased the prices of the sneaker.

Bottom Line

The Shattered Backboards are regarded as one of the legendary Michael Jordan moments in his basketball career. According to Highsnobiety, the Air Jordan 1 Shattered Backboards sneakers were exactly the pair he wore during this memorable exhibition Italy game, which marked the birth of retro sneakers.