The Jordan brand is a signature shoe and athletic wear brand owned and created by the legendary basketball player Michael Jordan. Nike first signed Jordan under its banner in 1984 and subsequently granted his signature Jordan Brand line, when the young Michael was still unproven as a rookie in marketability and professional competition. Although Michael Jordan has been retired since 2003, Air Jordans still remain a top selling sneaker for many retailers. To this day, Michael still plays an integral part in the design and production process of the Jordan line.