Helena Frye
The NBA has banned certain basketball shoes over the years, with reasons ranging from performance enhancement to colour. The NBA has strict rules regarding the shoes worn by players, and any shoe that provides an unfair competitive advantage is prohibited. One of the most famous shoes banned by the NBA is the Air Jordan 1, which was prohibited in the 1980s due to its red and black colourway, breaking the league's dress code. Nike capitalised on the controversy, using it to promote the Jordan brand and increase shoe sales. In 2010, the NBA banned the APL Concept 1 shoes, which featured Load 'N Launch technology, citing that they provided wearers with an undue competitive advantage by increasing their vertical jump.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | APL (Athletic Propulsion Labs) |
| Shoe Model | Concept 1 |
| Technology | Load N' Launch |
| Advantage | Increases vertical jump by 3-3.5 inches |
| NBA Season | 2010-2011 |
| Team | Boston Celtics |
| Reason | Undue Competitive Advantage |
| Other Banned Shoes | Nike Air Jordan 1 |
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What You'll Learn
- The APL Concept 1 shoe was banned for performance-enhancing technology
- Michael Jordan's Air Jordan 1 shoes were banned for breaking the NBA's uniform rules
- NBA players are not allowed to wear third-party logos on their sneakers
- NBA shoes must be tested—the APL Concept 1s increased a man's vertical jump by 3 inches
- The Load 'N Launch system is banned for allowing the wearer to jump higher
The APL Concept 1 shoe was banned for performance-enhancing technology
The APL Concept 1 shoe was banned by the NBA for performance-enhancing technology. The shoe was introduced in 2010 by twin brothers Ryan and Adam Goldston, who founded the company Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL). The Goldston brothers were former basketball players at the University of Southern California. Due to their shorter stature, they struggled to compete with their peers and thus turned to technology to enhance their athletic performance.
The APL Concept 1 shoe featured Load 'N Launch technology, a compression spring-based system designed to increase the wearer's vertical jump height. The system comprised a top and bottom plate with six large and three smaller springs stored inside EVA foam. When an athlete jumps, the compression on the shoes before takeoff results in the compression of the springs, and when the athlete leaves the ground, the stored compression is released, resulting in an increased vertical leap.
The NBA tested the APL Concept 1 shoes and found that they could increase an average man's vertical jump by 3 inches. As a result, the league banned the shoes before the 2010-2011 season, citing "an undue competitive advantage" as the reason for the ban. The NBA's decision to ban the shoes was not due to any safety concerns but rather because they believed the technology provided wearers with an unfair advantage over their competitors.
The ban on the APL Concept 1 shoes generated significant publicity for APL, and the company leveraged this attention in its marketing campaigns. The co-founders of APL, Ryan and Adam Goldston, even stated that the NBA's ban legitimized their claims that the shoes enhanced jumping ability.
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Michael Jordan's Air Jordan 1 shoes were banned for breaking the NBA's uniform rules
Michael Jordan's Air Jordan 1 shoes were deemed to have broken the NBA's uniform rules, leading to a ban and a fine of $5,000 for each time he wore them. The NBA's dress code at the time stipulated that athletes' shoes must be
The NBA took a strong stance on this issue, with NBA Executive VP Russ Granik sending a letter to Nike VP Rob Strasser in February 1985, confirming that Jordan would not be permitted to wear the shoes on the court. The letter stated that the "National Basketball Association's rules and procedures prohibited the wearing of certain red and black Nike basketball shoes by Chicago Bulls player Michael Jordan".
Nike, however, seized the opportunity to capitalise on the controversy. They launched a marketing campaign featuring black censor bars over the sneakers in TV ads, generating intrigue and buzz. The "banned" status of the shoes became a selling point, and Nike even reissued the original Air Jordan 1 as the "Banned" edition. This strategy paid off, with the Air Jordan 1 becoming one of the most famous shoes in sneakerhead culture and contributing to the success of the Jordan brand, which is now worth billions.
It is worth noting that there is some discrepancy in reports regarding the specific model of shoes Jordan wore that led to the ban. Some sources claim it was the Air Jordan 1, while others suggest it was a modified version of an existing Nike model, the Air Ship, which shared a similar silhouette with the Air Jordan 1 but was altered to feature the banned colour scheme.
Regardless of the specific model, the impact of the ban and the subsequent marketing campaign was significant. The Air Jordan shoes, with their iconic designs and association with Michael Jordan's legendary career, have become a cultural phenomenon, with the brand expanding into a diverse range of apparel and merchandise. The episode also marked a shift in the relationship between celebrity athletes and footwear brands, with Jordan's groundbreaking $2.5 million deal with Nike setting a precedent for future collaborations and endorsements.
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NBA players are not allowed to wear third-party logos on their sneakers
The NBA has strict rules regarding what players can wear on their feet. While the league has relaxed its stance on sneaker colours, allowing players to express themselves, there are still rules that must be followed. One such rule is that players are not allowed to wear third-party logos on their sneakers without prior approval from the league office. This rule is part of the NBA's policy on commercial logos and brand sponsorships.
The NBA's policy on third-party logos came into the spotlight when Stephen Curry wore sneakers featuring the logo of President Obama's My Brother's Keeper Alliance. This violated the league's rule on third-party logos, and Curry was forced to stop wearing the shoes. Similarly, in 2017, J.R. Smith and Kelly Oubre wore compression sleeves bearing the logo of the clothing and skateboarding brand Supreme, which was also prohibited.
The NBA's policy on third-party logos is not just limited to sneakers but extends to other items as well. For example, the league asked point guard Lonzo Ball to cover up a tattoo of his family brand, "Big Baller Brand." According to the NBA, the only article that can bear a commercial logo that is worn by the players is their shoes, and even then, the logos must be pre-approved.
The NBA's stance on third-party logos is influenced by its partnership with Nike, which began in 2015. As part of the deal, Nike manufactures uniforms for all 30 teams in the league. This agreement gives Nike significant influence over the league's branding and sponsorship decisions, including the approval process for third-party logos on sneakers.
While the NBA's rule on third-party logos may seem restrictive, it is important to note that the league has been working to offer more freedom to players in recent years. The relaxation of colour restrictions on sneakers is a significant step towards allowing players to express themselves on the court. However, the NBA must also consider the potential brand and sponsorship conflicts that can arise from allowing third-party logos, especially as the league continues to adapt to societal norms and trends.
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NBA shoes must be tested—the APL Concept 1s increased a man's vertical jump by 3 inches
The NBA has banned several items over its 77-year history, from gold chains to sneakers that increase an athlete's vertical jump. The NBA's decision to ban certain items is based on what it believes will be detrimental to the league.
Athletic Propulsion Labs' (APL) Concept 1 basketball shoes are one such example. APL, founded in 2009 by twin brothers and former basketball players Adam and Ryan Goldston, created the Concept 1 shoe with "Load N' Launch technology." This technology is a propulsion device implanted in a cavity under the forefoot, in front of the ball of the foot and the flex zone. The device is designed to help wearers increase their vertical jump. APL markets the shoe as providing an instant vertical increase, with the shoe's technology enhancing the transfer of energy to the Load N' Launch forefoot and increasing stability between the forefoot and the heel.
The NBA banned the APL Concept 1 shoe before the 2010-11 season, citing "an undue competitive advantage." The ban was not based on whether the alleged "jump enhancement" technology worked, but rather the potential risk it posed. APL, like Nike with the Air Jordans, turned this ban into a marketing campaign, leveraging the controversy to promote its brand.
Reviews of the APL Concept 1s have confirmed the shoes' ability to increase vertical jump height. One reviewer tested the shoes on multiple hoops and with multiple comparison pairs, consistently finding that the shoes allowed him to jump one to two inches higher. Another reviewer also confirmed the shoes' ability to increase jumping power, stating that they regularly got three inches higher with the APL Concept 1s than without.
The APL Concept 1 shoes are just one example of how footwear technology can impact athletic performance, and how sports leagues like the NBA must carefully test and regulate such equipment to maintain fair competition.
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The Load 'N Launch system is banned for allowing the wearer to jump higher
The Load 'N Launch system is a compression spring-based technology that allows the wearer to jump higher. It was developed by APL (Athletic Propulsion Labs), a company founded by twin brothers Adam and Ryan Goldston, former basketball players who struggled with their height. The technology is made up of a top plate and a bottom plate, with six large and three smaller springs stored inside EVA foam. When an athlete jumps, the compression on the shoes before take-off compresses the springs, and when the athlete leaves the ground, the stored compression is released, resulting in an increased vertical leap.
The Load 'N Launch system was banned by the NBA as it gave players an "undue competitive advantage". The shoes were found to increase the vertical jump of the average man by 3 to 3.5 inches, which could significantly impact the performance of players. This ban was the first time in the NBA's history that a new line of shoes was prohibited based on performance enhancement rather than appearance.
The NBA's decision to ban the Load 'N Launch system sparked controversy and gained publicity for APL. The company turned the ban into a marketing campaign, emphasizing how their product could enhance jumping ability. Despite the ban, APL continued to innovate and expand its product line, releasing running and training shoes in addition to basketball footwear.
The Load 'N Launch system's impact extended beyond the NBA, with APL's shoes becoming a popular choice on the streets of NYC. The company's other models, such as the TechLoom Pro and TechLoom Breeze, offer comfort and support while showcasing APL's unique technologies. The ban on the Load 'N Launch system highlighted the delicate balance between performance enhancement and fairness in competitive sports, influencing future decisions on equipment and technology used by athletes.
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Frequently asked questions
The NBA banned the APL Concept 1s in 2010. The shoes were found to increase an average man's vertical jump by 3 inches, giving the wearer an "undue competitive advantage".
The NBA also banned the Air Jordan 1s in the 1980s due to their red and black colourway, which broke the league's dress code.
The APL Concept 1s feature Load N’ Launch technology, which is a compression spring-based system. It consists of a top plate and a bottom plate with six large and three small springs in between, which help increase the vertical leap.
The NBA banned the APL Concept 1s as they gave players an unfair competitive advantage due to the increased vertical leap the shoes provided.
The NBA has banned items like gold chains, compression sleeves with brand logos, and band-aids with names or identifications on them.
