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The partnership between Nike and Michael Jordan birthed one of history's most iconic sneakers: the Air Jordan 1. In 1984, these groundbreaking shoes were designed for the young NBA star while he was with the Chicago Bulls. But did you know the shoes were initially banned by the NBA? That’s right — the NBA back then said that the Air Jordan 1 violated its strict color and uniform policy. Undeterred, Michael Jordan continued to wear them and incurred a $5,000 fine per game. Recognizing a marketing opportunity, Nike willingly paid the fines, allowing Jordan to wear the banned shoes and ultimately claim the Rookie of the Year award. This bold move cemented Air Jordan 1's place in basketball history and popular culture. Commercial success In 1985, Nike released Jordan 1s to the public, much to the delight of Michael’s fans. From there, the shoes sparked the modern sneaker culture and nurtured an enduring legacy that is still known today. The Jordan brand an...