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2025 marks the 40th anniversary of the Air Jordan 1. To celebrate, Jordan Brand is bringing back one of the silhouette’s most iconic colorways.
According to zSneakerHeadz and Sneaker Files, the AJ1 will be returning in its OG “Bred” colorway in High 85 form in 2025. This is arguably the most iconic Jordan 1 colorway of all time, second maybe only to the “Chicago,” depending on who you ask.
What makes it so iconic? Well, for one, it’s an OG that Michael himself wore, most famously during the 1985 Slam Dunk contest. But it was Nike’s “Banned” marketing ploy that really made this pair legendary.
As the story goes, the NBA fined Michael Jordan $5,000 for every game he wore the “Bred” Air Jordan 1 as its color scheme did not adhere to the league’s dress code. Nike decided to capitalize on this, generating publicity by paying these fines for MJ and creating a “Banned” ad campaign.
As sneaker historians have pointed out, there is a bit of fiction in this tale. It was actually a black and red pair of Nike Air Ships that the NBA fined Michael Jordan for wearing. Nike stuck to their story though, that is until All-Star 2020 when they finally retro’d the Air Ship in the “New Beginnings” pack.
All-Star 2020 was also when Jordan Brand first introduced the Air Jordan 1 High ’85 model. This version of the Air Jordan 1 features a shape that is more true to the original 1985 release than the standard Retro High version. This includes a higher cut, a larger Swoosh, and sleeker toe box.
While many Jordan 1 Retro High colorways drop every year, the Air Jordan 1 High ’85 is reserved for special releases. This includes the return of OG colorways, such as this year’s “Metallic Burgundy” release.
The Air Jordan 1 High ’85 “Bred” is slated to release in Spring 2025 on SNKRS and at select retailers. Stay tuned to Modern Notoriety for updates.
Air Jordan 1 High ’85 “Bred”
Color: Black/Varsity Red-White
Release Date: Spring 2025
Price: $200
1985 Air Jordan 1 “Bred” photos via Sotheby’s:
Michael Jordan rocking the Jordan 1 “Bred” in the NBA Dunk Contest (1985). Photo via Getty/Andrew D. Bernstein:
