Jordan Brand Celebrates 40th Anniversary of 'Banned' Sneakers, Unveils First Look at Stadium 91

Jordan Brand has officially recognized the 40th anniversary of Michael Jordan’s iconic "Banned" sneakers, a moment that reshaped basketball shoe culture. Alongside this milestone, the first look at the Jordan Stadium 91, a new lifestyle model inspired by classic Air Jordans, has been revealed.

Jordan Brand Reflects on Michael Jordan's 1984 ‘Banned’ Sneakers, Teases Air Jordan 1 Hi '85 ‘Bred’

Sneaker News reports, through a recent Instagram post, that Jordan Brand marked the 40th anniversary of a pivotal moment in the Air Jordan legacy. On October 18, 1984, Michael Jordan famously wore black and red Nike sneakers during an NBA game, an event that led the NBA to send a formal letter to Nike’s VP at the time, Rob Strasser, citing a violation of league uniform rules.

While Jordan wasn’t wearing the Air Jordan 1 on that iconic night, the "Banned" storyline has become closely associated with the sneaker, mainly through the release of the Air Jordan 1 “Banned” in 2011 and a significant marketing campaign in 2016. It was later revealed that the shoe Jordan wore was the Air Ship, which Nike and Jordan Brand re-released in 2020.

The Instagram post also potentially confirms one of the most highly anticipated drops on the 2025 release calendar—the Air Jordan 1 Hi '85 “Bred.” Although no official announcement has been made, this post could begin a broader marketing campaign to promote the sneaker and revitalize the Air Jordan 1 lineup.

Jordan Brand Reveals Early Look at the Jordan Stadium 91, a Versatile Follow-Up to the Stadium 90

In May 2023, Jordan Brand introduced a new lifestyle silhouette, the Jordan Stadium 90, continuing a tradition of hybrid models. Drawing design inspiration from the Air Jordan 5, the Stadium 90 became a standout for its casual, laidback aesthetic. Early looks at its follow-up, the Jordan Stadium 91, have surfaced.

The Stadium 91 carries notable design cues from past Air Jordans. The outsole is borrowed from the Air Jordan 6 with its jagged geometry, while the triangular forefoot overlay references earlier Jordan designs. Like its predecessor, the Stadium 91 reflects Jordan Brand’s spin-off strategy from 2024, simplifying and streamlining the design for a lifestyle-friendly look.

The mixed-material upper, featuring suede, leather, and mesh, gives the Stadium 91 a refined, versatile feel similar to models like the Jordan Flight Court or Jordan Heir. While pricing and release details for the Stadium 91 have yet to be confirmed, more information is expected as we move closer to 2025. Keep an eye on the Jordan Release Dates hub for further updates.