Did Michael Jordan get banned for wearing Air Jordan shoes?

Exactly why were the Air Jordan shoes banned and why did Michael Jordan have to pay $5,000 every time he wore them on-court?


Did Michael Jordan get banned for wearing Air Jordan shoes?

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan’s iconic deal with Nike, which would eventually launch the Air Jordan brand, shaped the future of the sporting apparel franchise. But did you know that Jordan’s shoes were banned, and Michael Jordan was fined $5,000 every game he donned the Air Jordan shoes?

The legendary deal between MJ and Nike was originally signed in 1984. After considering other sporting apparel giants like Adidas, Jordan’s family opted to sign with Nike. It would allow Jordan to launch his own line of signature shoes. Eventually, the family hoped the shoes would boost his popularity off the roof and make him a global icon. 

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With the first Air Jordan models being released in retail in 1985, the very first sales broke all records in no time. They would go on to make over $70 million in just two months of the official launch of the sneakers. But exactly why was Jordan banned from wearing Air Jordan shoes?

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Why was Michael Jordan banned for wearing Air Jordan Shoes?

Although Air Jordan had taken the world by storm, the NBA seemed to take a different stance. The idea of an unconventional black and red sneaker did apparently go against the shoe criteria in the NBA, and that demanded the Chicago Bulls icon to pay a fine every game he wore his models.

Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan (Nike)

According to the NBA, the sneakers worn during NBA games must be at least 51% white and also be identical to the shoes of other teammates. This clearly clashed with the design of Air Jordan 1 – which was red and black and unique in itself.

First worn during a preseason game in 1984, the NBA sent a notice to Nike expressing their disapproval of Air Jordan. They demanded that the original protocols be followed, or else Michael would be fined $5,000 every time he donned the pair on-court. This, however, failed to deter Nike, and the brand was happy to capitalize on the controversy following the incident. 

How did the fine contribute to the popularity of Air Jordan? 

Nike paid a fine of $5,000 every game Michael Jordan wore Air Jordan 1. They would soon make a commercial that portrayed the iconic sneakers as the ‘Banned’ shoes. “On Oct. 15, Nike created a revolutionary new basketball shoe. On Oct. 18, the NBA threw them out of the game. Fortunately, the NBA can’t keep you from wearing them. Air Jordans. From Nike.”

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Michael Jordan (NIKE)

This catapulted the Jordan brand to global popularity as the shoes became an emblem of rebellious uniqueness among the youth. MJ even wore his Air Jordan sneakers during the NBA Slam Dunk contest, where all eyes were on his shoes.

Since then, the iconic shoe line has shaped the fate of the sneaker industry, earning Nike and Jordan billions in the process. Even today, MJ is said to earn 5% of revenues on every sale Air Jordan makes

As Ben Affleck’s AIR is released, the story behind the greatest deal in sporting apparel history is out on the screens for everyone to watch. Do share your thoughts on the film. We sure would love to hear.

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