Jordan Brand Bans the Air Jordan 1 on Nike.com
Published
We’re just under two weeks away from one of this year’s most anticipated sneaker releases — the Air Jordan 1 High 85 Bred — and Jordan Brand is going all-in on marketing efforts. Starting with a promo ad that asked, “What if we didn’t pay the fine,” the label has since “banned” itself from social media, teamed up with the Chicago Bulls to “ban” the shoes on MJ’s statue inside the United Center, and has limited the release of the sneaker to just 23 North American retailers, utilizing the 23 outfits to tell the story of the “banned” Air Jordan 1. Furthering these efforts, Jordan Brand has “banned” select pairs on Nike.com.
There are no Air Jordan 1 Retro High OGs on the website to “ban,” but plenty of different AJ1 variants are affected by the black bar. This includes the Air Jordan 1 Mid, Air Jordan 1 Low, Air Jordan 1 Method of Make, Air Jordan 1 High Golf, and even the Air Jordan 1 Brooklyn Boot. For those unfamiliar with the “banned” storyline, Nike advertised in 1985 that showed Air Jordan 1s on Michael Jordan’s feet with black bars covering most of the sneaker, referencing that the NBA was fining MJ for violating the league’s uniform policy.
Even though many pairs of Air Jordan 1s have been banned on Nike’s website, they’re still available to purchase. If you’re interested in getting a pair of the Air Jordan 1 High 85 Bred when it releases on February 14, 2025, check out our where-to-buy guide that lists out all 23 North American retailers that will carry the shoe. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app for real-time updates on the Bred 85’s release and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
