Sneaker News All eyes are on the Air Jordan 1 ’85 “Bred”, a highly-covered super-limited sneaker release set to launch on February 14th. The most meticulous 1-for-1 replication of the original 1985 Air Jordan 1 to date, this upcoming Retro release will be dropping in only 23 stores in the US with less than 10,000 pairs rumored to be in circulation.
Jordan Brand’s marketing push for this icon first began with an early January retelling of the original ad for the Air Jordan 1 which featured a camera panning down from Michael Jordan’s head down to his feet, only to reveal his shoes blacked out. This advertisement was created in response to the NBA imposing a fine on Michael Jordan for wearing shoes that were not aligned with league regulations.
Then, the brand quickly deactivated its Instagram account while all 23 of the retailer partners posted a video detailing the design process behind what Jordan Brand calls the most accurate and premium-grade re-issue of the original. Furthermore, product seeding has gone out to the brand’s close VIPs including Fabolous, DJ Khaled, and more.
Now, the Chicago Bulls have joined in on the action, revealing that Jordan’s feet on the iconic Jumpman statue have been blacked out as well. The entire atrium has been transformed as a hub for the storyline, featuring scrolling ticker banners reading “If it was just a shoe, why did they try to ban it?”
Two important details are worth noting: the shoes on Jordan’s feet on the statue are the Air Jordan 9, not the Air Jordan 1. And it has well documented that the actual black-and-red sneakers that the NBA looked to ban ban was the Nike Air Ship.
Jordan Brand has reached out to Sneaker News for an official statement regarding this new promotional activation:
In 1985, the Air Jordan was created, a revolutionary basketball shoe that transcended sport and has continuously inspired greatness across multiple generations. A month after it was created, the NBA attempted to ban Michael Jordan’s shoe due to its black and red color scheme that failed to conform with the NBA regulations. Nevertheless, MJ continued to wear the shoe, and Nike paid the fine associated with MJ wearing it.
To celebrate 40 years of greatness and Jordan Brand’s ongoing campaign, Jordan Brand and the Chicago Bulls have partnered to put the same black bars that are animated over the Air Jordan 1’s in the 1985 ad on the feet of Michael Jordan’s statue at the entrance of the United Center.
The effort is part of a year-long celebration aimed to inspire people to chase after their own greatness that the Jordan Brand believes is in everyone.
Learn more about the upcoming release on our Jordan Release Dates 2025 page.
