In 1984, Michael Jordan was fined $5,000 per game for breaking the NBA’s uniformity of uniform rule. The rule made it mandatory for players to wear shoes that were primarily white.
Why Did Nike Choose To Pay Jordan’s Fines?
Air Jordan dropped an amazing commercial to give a taste of what life may be like if they didn’t make this bold choice.
Jordan Brand reimagined its iconic Banned Air Jordan commercial, showing what it would’ve been like if they never paid Michael Jordan’s NBA fines—and it’s 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/9eXmhjm0NR
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) February 3, 2025
Jordan was drafted No. 3 overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. That same year, he signed with Nike to design his own signature shoe, the Air Jordan.
Michael loved the shoe and wanted to wear it on game days to both wear a shoe he loves and finds comfortable, as well as bring attention to the fact that he has a signature shoe.
The NBA didn’t hesitate to fine the Bulls rookie for breaking the rules, and a $5,000 fine back then held a lot of weight.
Jordan’s salary in 1984 was $550,000, meaning that if he ignored the rule and paid the fine for all 82 games, that would cost him $410,000. That hefty sum would have been good for 74.5% of Jordan’s contract that season.
Nike didn’t know it, but they made arguably the best investment ever when they took on the cost of these fines to allow the shoes to be on the feet for the beginning of what is arguably the greatest career in the history of the NBA.
This commercial celebrated 40 years since the decision was made by playfully poking fun at it on the Nike website by blacking out the legendary shoe and re-releasing it in a limited capacity.
Who Appeared in the Commercial?
Jordan Brand has an impressive list of athletes and personalities connected to the brand, but it’s not often that all of the stars come out quite like this.
NBA players, such as new Los Angeles Lakers forward Luka Dončić, the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero, were seen in the ad.
There were also appearances by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, DJ Khaled, Travis Scott, and many more.
The point of the commercial was to take a clever approach to highlight the chain reaction of this bold, yet massively successful choice that the executives at Nike made.
Jordan Brand had everybody in this commercial! 🔥🔥 https://t.co/MPh2RHr9lH pic.twitter.com/kk0sYFKcIl
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) February 3, 2025
After a slew of “what if” scenarios, the commercial ends with a clever catchphrase saying, “You can’t ban greatness.”
