India, Oct. 15 -- When Michael Jordan debuted his now-iconic black-and-red sneakers, he could hardly have imagined that the design would become one of the most recognizable stories in sports marketing.

What began as a footwear controversy eventually helped reshape basketball, fashion and sneaker culture, giving rise to the Air Jordan 1's famous "Banned" identity.

Jordan's story with the Chicago Bulls began in the fall of 1984, at the start of what would become a legendary NBA career. While his six championships and lasting influence on sports were still years away, the young guard was already making a statement with a sneaker design unlike any other on the court.

Jordan's bold black-and-red sneakers quickly became a talking point for r...