Basketball fans and sneakerheads heading to the United Center in 2025 might do a double-take when they enter the atrium and see the famous Michael Jordan statue. The sneakers on MJ’s statue have been completely blacked out (solid black squares over the feet). Nope, it’s not vandalism or a copyright disagreement as many assumed when they first heard the news—it’s actually a clever marketing stunt meant to celebrate 40 years of Michael Jordan’s controversial sneakers, the Air Jordan 1. Jordan Brand and the Chicago Bulls have teamed up to pay homage to the legendary sneaker’s origins.
The Story Behind the Air Jordan 1’s “Banned” Legacy
Back in 1985, when the Air Jordan 1 first dropped, it turned heads with its bold black-and-red “Bred” colorway (still one of the most coveted sneakers today). The NBA, however, wasn’t a big fan of the style, and they apparently fined Jordan $5,000 every time he stepped on the court in them. Nike, completely unfazed, happily covered the fines, of course. That single act managed to turn the Air Jordan 1 into more than just a basketball shoe—it became a cultural phenomenon and a symbol of individuality — and maybe rebellion, too.
RELATED: Michael Jordan’s 3 Favorite Air Jordans
Celebrating 40 Years of the Air Jordan 1 in 2025
In 2025, Jordan Brand is focusing on bringing back that energy with a year-long campaign to celebrate the sneaker’s 40th anniversary. The black bars over MJ’s statue’s sneakers mimic the original 1985 “Banned” ad, where the Air Jordan 1s were famously censored. Even the atrium at the United Center now features banners reading, “If it was just a shoe, why did they try to ban it?” It’s a reminder of how the AJ1 broke rules and set new trends for the sport and the sneaker industry.
RELATED: Things The Movie Air Got Wrong And Things It Got Right
The Air Jordan 1 High ‘85 “Bred” Is Coming Back: Release Date and Details
But this campaign isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s also about selling sneakers. Of course! It’s about hyping up the release of the Air Jordan 1 High ’85 “Bred” sneakers on February 14, 2025. Retro-ed in its original 1985 cut, the kicks will be limited to fewer than 10,000 pairs across just 23 U.S. stores. VIPs like DJ Khaled and rapper Fabolous have already snagged friends and family pairs that were limited to just 23 pairs, adding to the buzz.
RELATED: Air Jordan 1 High ’85 “Bred” Returns for 40th Anniversary in 2025
The Nike Air Ship Truth
While the campaign centers on the Air Jordan 1, we all know the truth (despite what Ben Affleck’s Air movie says): the real banned shoe was the Nike Air Ship, which Jordan wore before the AJ1 officially debuted. Also, the Michael Jordan statue at the United Center actually has His Airness wearing the Jordan 9s, not the 1s. But why let facts get in the way of a good story, right?
Whether you’re a fan of clever marketing, sneakers, Air Jordans, or even a fan of Michael Jordan himself, one thing is pretty clear—Jordan Brand knows how to celebrate greatness.
If you’re hoping to grab a pair of the very limited ’85 Breds, good luck! We’ll probably be joining you in the raffles.
Our favourites. Available now at Nike.com
