Are Jordans Banned From the NBA?

It’s a question that has been on the minds of basketball fans for years: are Jordans banned from the NBA? The simple answer is no, but the story behind the rumor is a bit more complicated.

The Origins of the Ban

Jordans have been banned from the NBA since 1985. The reason for the ban was that the shoes were not in keeping with the NBA’s uniform policy. However, many believe that the true reason for the ban was because Michael Jordan was becoming too dominant on the court and the shoes were giving him an unfair advantage.

Michael Jordan’s rookie season

It all started with Michael Jordan’s rookie season. In 1985, Nike released the Air Jordan I, a basketball sneaker designed for Jordan. Because the shoe featured red and black and violated the NBA’s uniform regulations at the time, Jordan was fined $5,000 every time he stepped on the court wearing them. Nike paid the fines for Jordan and made him a global star in the process. The Air Jordan I was so popular that it spawned a whole line of sneakers that are still being released today.

The Air Jordan 1

The Air Jordan 1 was released in 1985, designed by Peter Moore. They were the first Air Jordan sneakers and were banned by the NBA due to their “unfair” advantage. The shoes were designed for Michael Jordan, who was a rookie at the time, and helped him achieve phenomenal success in his first season.

The Air Jordan 1 was so popular that it led to the creation of the Air Jordan line, which is still going strong today. The shoes are now iconic and are collector’s items, fetching high prices on the secondary market.

The Evolution of the Ban

It all started with a pair of red and black sneakers. Michael Jordan was fined $5,000 for wearing them during an NBA game in 1985, but he didn’t back down. In fact, he continued to wear the shoes and the NBA ended up banning them. This began a long battle between the NBA and Jordans that continues to this day.

The Air Jordan 2

The Air Jordan 2 was designed by Bruce Kilgore and introduced in 1986. It was the first Air Jordan to be designed outside of Nike, as it was designed by Peter Moore at Jordan Brand (then a sub-brand of Nike). The Air Jordan 2 featured a premium leather upper, which made it unique compared to other basketball shoes at the time, as most featured synthetic materials. It also featured a full-length air unit, which provided excellent cushioning. Due to its high price tag, the Air Jordan 2 was not very popular when it was first released, and it was eventually discontinued. However, it gained popularity in the early 2000s among sneakerheads and is now considered one of the all-time greats.

In 2003, the Air Jordan 2 was retroed for the first time, and it has been released several times since then. It is set to retro again in 2018.

The Air Jordan 3

In 1988, the Air Jordan 3 was released. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, it was the first Air Jordan to feature the “Jumpman” logo on the tongue instead of the Nike Swoosh. The Air Jordan 3 was also notable for being the first Air Jordan to be released during Michael Jordan’s “second three-peat”, as well as the first Air Jordan to feature visible air on the heel. It was retroed in 1994 and again in 2001, and has seen several re-releases since then.

The End of the Ban

After a five year ban, the NBA has finally lifted the Jordans ban. This means that players are now allowed to wear any brand of shoe during games, as long as it meets certain size and colour requirements. This is great news for Jordan lovers everywhere, but does it mean that the brand will take over the NBA?

The Air Jordan 4

The Air Jordan 4 was released in 1989, and was the first Air Jordan to be designed by Tinker Hatfield. It was also the first Air Jordan to feature the “Flight” logo on the tongue. The Air Jordan 4 was banned by the NBA in 1989, due to its non-compliance with the league’s uniform regulations. However, Michael Jordan wore the shoes during the 1989 playoffs, and helped lead the Chicago Bulls to victory in the NBA Finals. In 2003, Nike re-released the Air Jordan 4, and it has been a popular sneaker ever since.

The Air Jordan 5

The Air Jordan 5 was first released in February 1990, designed by Tinker Hatfield. It was the first Air Jordan to feature a reflective 3M material on the upper and eyelets, and a transparent rubber outsole. The Air Jordan 5 drew inspiration from World War II fighter planes, which is most notably visible in the shark teeth shapes on the midsole. The Air Jordan 5 was retroed for the first time in 2000, and again in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011–2013. The “Grape” Air Jordan 5s were retroed in 2013. The Air Jordan V was retroed in 2000 and again 2006–2018.