The Jordan Retro Fragment has a resale value of $2,000. This one shoe is a part of a legacy that is responsible for starting the sneaker culture.
The myth of the Air Jordans 1 getting banned by the NBA is wrong. This famous shoe wasn’t and isn’t banned. All Air Jordans 1 colorways get people excited and continue a legacy that blends sports and fashion for a unique shoe that’s instantly recognizable.
Learn a bit about the history of this shoe and its relationship with the NBA.
The NBA Official Regulation
There was a time when the NBA has a “uniformity of uniform rule” as a part of its official regulations. This rule stated that player’s shoes must match their uniform and teammate’s shoes.
Why This Was a Problem
The problem arose because the red and black motif of the shoe was considered rebellious and radical. No other shoe in the NBA had a black sole or a multi-color design. The shoe stood out and didn’t look like anything any other player had on their feet.
The Famous Letter
On October 18, 1984, the New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls played against each other at Madison Square Garden. It was the sixth preseason game of the season. It was this game that caused the NBA to send the famous letter.
NBA Executive Vice President Russ Granik addressed a letter to Nike Vice President Rob Strasser. In it, he stated that the shoes worn by Michael Jordan were prohibited.
The Myth and the Truth
The problem with this story is that Michael Jordan never wore red and white Air Jordans 1. The shoes he was actually wearing during this time were three colorways of the Air Ship. They came in black/red, white/natural grey, and white/red.
The black and red version of the AirShip is what the NBA banned, not the Air Jordan 1. There is no proof that Michael Jordan ever wore a pair of black and red Air Jordan 1 shoes in an NBA game.
Modern NBA Shoes Rules
On August 28, 2018, the NBA official relaxed its shoe rules. Players can now wear shoes of any color. This sounds like a big deal, but it wasn’t as groundbreaking as it seems. Over the decades, the NBA has relaxed its regulations.
Thanks to this rule change, you can now wear the same shoes that your favorite player wears on the court. Check out KicksCrew and rock a pair of Air force 1 Jordans in blue or another pair of kicks.
Get Your Own Pair of Air Jordans 1
The story of the banned Air Jordans 1 shoes is a good one. Unfortunately, like every great myth, the reality isn’t quite the same as the legend. Michael Jordan was a young up-and-coming player, and Nike was a new sneaker company.
Thanks to their brash and boldness, these two shook up the NBA and its rules. Decades later, players now have the freedom to wear whatever they want. They can express their personal style and tastes.
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