We've all heard the lore of Michael Jordan signing with Nike in the 80s and his first sneaker getting "banned" from the NBA. The ban included a $5000 fine each time, the GOAT wore his sneaker. History tends to repeat itself.


For the 31st rendition of the Air Jordan signature line, Jordan Brand is bringing back the iconic Black/Red colorway, in the infamous "Banned" rendition. The Bred makeup has been synonymous with numerous Jordan silhouettes, including the Air Jordan 1, 4, and 11.

The Air Jordan XXX1 opens the door for future performance basketball models. Jordan Brand designed the XXX1 with an innovative blend of leather and Flyweave materials. The mixture provides a performance aesthetic but with a fashion-ready aura. The most interesting aspect of the design is the branding. The branding includes, for the first time, the Nike swoosh in conjunction with the Jumpman logo. For the past decade, Jordan Brand has been branding themselves as their own entity, while being under the Nike umbrella.

I think the spirit these shoes represent is a feeling of defiance. You know, you see the poster of MJ dunking with his gold chain, up in the air forever and defying gravity, wearing the Air Jordan 1; you just can't stop looking at that poster," says Tate Kuerbis, Jordan Brand's Senior Designer.

In addition to physical appearance, the Air Jordan XXX1 has up-to-date performance upgrades. In addition to the Flywire technology, for supported fit, the XXX1 has a full-length zoom air unit that delivers responsive cushioning with a low-profile feel. Also, the "Banned" XXX1 has Flightspeed technology to unleash each explosive step and a herringbone sole for added traction for multi-directional cuts.

[album albumId="450241"]

The Air Jordan XXX1 "Banned" will release at Jordan Brand retailers on September 3, 2016 at the $185 price tag.