Chicago Bulls Pay Statuesque Homage to Air Jordans
Art Installation commemorates 1985 'Banned' commercial
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In honor of Air Jordan 1’s 40th anniversary, the Chicago Bulls have banned the sneakers from the iconic MJ statue at the United Center. Huh?
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The move nods to the 1985 ad “Banned,” in which a camera zeroes in on Michael Jordan’s feet, giving way to his shoes, which were blacked out with animated bars. Nike created it in response to a fine the NBA levied on the superstar for wearing footgear with colors that didn’t adhere to league regulations. (Nike ultimately paid it in full.)
The Jordan Brand revived the storied spot this month. A new Air Jordan sneaker launches soon.
The Bulls worked with Jordan Brand on the activation as a part of a year-long celebration to commemorate the 40-year marker.
The main goal is to “inspire and unite people through legendary experiences,” says Megan Donovan, The Bulls vice president of partnership marketing. “Our fans are our number one priority, so we always look to find ways to reach them with events and content they’re interested in. This is why tapping into fashion and culture moments like the 40th anniversary of the Air Jordan line is so crucial for the Bulls as a business and brand.”
She adds: “The Air Jordan 1 is a revolutionary basketball shoe that transcended sport and continuously inspired multiple generations. Another inherent component of this strategy is the legacy of Michael Jordan and the iconic shoes—The Bulls are in a unique position to leverage this to connect with our fans.”
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The fan activation will remain through Feb. 4.
Additionally, Jordan Brand will be hosting the shoe’s first retail run in the city.