A History of Michael Jordan Wearing Air Jordans on the Cover of Sports Illustrated

Since 1983, Michael Jordan has covered Sports Illustrated a record 50 times.

Since 1983, Michael Jordan has covered Sports Illustrated a record 50 times. That's 13 more times than the next athlete in line — Muhammad Ali with 37. Everything from his 1984 Olympic run to his 1993 retirement to his second return with the Washington Wizards in 2001 has been covered within the magazine's pages. Jordan most recently covered SI last February, when they celebrated his 50th birthday.

Throughout the years, quite a few Air Jordan sneakers have also graced the cover. Below is a gallery of the 14 times SI captured Mike in Mikes, as spotted in Champs' Definitive Ranking of Michael Jordan's Sports Illustrated covers.

 

Michael Jordan wears Air Jordan II 2 on November 1986 Sports Illustrated

November 1986 -- Air Jordan 2

 

Michael Jordan wears 'Fire Red' Air Jordan III 3 on May 1988 Sports Illustrated

May 1988 -- Air Jordan 3 'Fire Red'

 

Michael Jordan wears 'Bred' Air Jordan IV 4 on May 1989 Sports Illustrated

May 1989 -- Air Jordan 4 'Bred'

 

Michael Jordan wears 'Bred' Air Jordan 4 on November 1989 Sports Illustrated

November 1989 -- Air Jordan 4 'Bred'

 

Michael Jordan Wears Air Jordan V 5 Metallic on May 1990 Sports Illustrated

May 1990 -- Air Jordan 5 'Metallic'

 

Michael Jordan wears Air Jordan V 5 Fire Red on December 1990 Sports Illustrated

December 1990 -- Air Jordan 5 'Fire Red'

 

Michael Jordan wears Air Jordan VI 6 Carmine on May 1992 Sports Illustrated

May 1992 -- Air Jordan 6 'Carmine'

 

Michael Jordan wears Black/Red Air Jordan VII 7 on June 1992 Sports Illustrated

June 1992 -- Air Jordan 7 Black/Red

 

Michael Jordan wears Air Jordan VIII 8 on June 1993 Sports Illustrated

June 1993 -- Air Jordan 8 'Playoff'

 

Michael Jordan wears 'Cardinal' Air Jordan 7 on October 1993 Sports Illustrated

October 1993 -- Air Jordan 7 'Cardinal'

 

Michael Jordan wears Air Jordan IX 9 Cleats on March 1994 Sports Illuatrated

March 1994 -- Air Jordan 9 Cleats

 

Michael Jordan wearing Air Jordan XII White/Red on March 1997 Sports Illustrated

March 1997 -- Air Jordan 12 White/Red

 

Michael Jordan wears 'Last Shot' Air Jordan XIV 14 on June 1998 Sports Illustrated

June 1998 -- Air Jordan 14 'Last Shot'

 

Michael Jordan wears 'Cement' Air Jordan 3 on February 2013 Sports Illustrated

February 2013 -- Air Jordan 3 'Cement'

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