Nike’s Banned ’84 Michael Jordan Shoes Fetches $325,085 Amid Raging DPOY Controversy

Yet another Michael Jordan Nike shoe has been sold for a jaw-dropping price. Whether it’s one of the shoes worn by Jordan in his NBA Finals games or a banned one, His Airness’ sports memorabilia fetches handsome prices at auctions. Just recently, a banned pair of Nike’s Air Jordan Black & Red 1 Shoes was sold for a whopping $325,085.

“SOLD FOR: 325,085 🔥 1984 Michael Jordan Player Sample Prototype Banned Nike ‘Air Jordan’ Black & Red 1 Shoes,” Grey Flannel Auctions tweeted. To be honest, the price fetched by the shoes isn’t surprising considering the attention these trainers gained when the NBA banned them right after its debut.

The design of the shoes tells a lot. Much might be well aware of the fact that the league had a rule according to which  51% of a player’s sneakers must be white. However, Nike made black/red shoes which were a reflection of the Chicago Bulls’ colors. Well, naturally, the league wasn’t happy with this action. And Jordan was fined for wearing the sneakers.

But here is the twist. As per sources, Nike paid the entire amount which was about $5,000 per game. The reason? Just so, His Airness could wear them on the court. Talk about grand marketing strategies! Well, then again, we are talking about Jordan! While the NBA stopped Jordan from wearing the shoes, their popularity among fans only increased.

This is important considering how it led to an awe-inspiring increase in Nike’s sales, generating $126 million in profit and soaring past the expectations of $3 million. While the Grey Flannels Auction saw success, the basketball world is rocked by Jordan’s DPOY controversy.

Reports put Michael Jordan’s DPOY honor in question.

Following his rookie year, Jordan’s popularity kept rising. During the 1987-88 season, Jordan made history winning the Defensive Player of the Year award and scoring title. A truly record-breaking season for the 6x NBA Champion. However, a shocking report by Yahoo Sports Tim Haberstroh claimed that Jordan’s statistics in that season might be false. It seems even after all these years, Jordan isn’t out of public and critics’ attention.

Haberstroh’s report seemed to highlight the difference between Jordan’s home and road games. The Chicago Bulls legend averaged 4 steals and 2.1 blocks per home game, while on the road, he only had 2.1 steals and 1.2 blocks. There’s an 182% disparity between the road and home games which is quite uncommon.

Another interesting incident that has come to light is the confession of the former NBA stat keeper Rucker. The Stat keeper admitted that it was common in the ’90s to inflate home team players’ stats. Now, that is new to the argument. However, there’s no official review of Jordan’s 1987-88 stats. And the chances for a review now also seem low.

Well, with that, there’s likely almost no end to this conversation while the popularity certainly is profitable for some as noticed above with the auction.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.