In 1985 sports photographer . Chuck Kohn . photographed Michael Jordan wearing the Air Jordan 1 Royals. This photo turned Nike poster was the first time anyone saw Michael wearing the Air Jordan 1 sneakers. Ever. Known to be his favorite colorway . Jordan chose the Royals to be the first Air Jordan 1 available for purchase. They were also the only color-way out of the Top 3 Air Jordan 1 Retro colorways (‘Banned’ and ‘Chicago’) that he never wore on the court. Since 1985 . the Royals have been released in 2001 . 2013 . and 2017.