Jordan 11 Retro Low Infrared 23

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:

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.

• 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.