Converse Commercials Over the Years: From the 1970s to Today

Before Nike essentially took over the professional basketball arena, Converse was huge on the hardwood. The biggest NBA stars like Dr. J, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson all wore Converse silhouettes and starred in commercials for the brand throughout the late 1970s and 1980s.

Ahead, FN takes a closer look at some of the classic Converse commercials from the 1970s to today.

Converse All-Star, 1976

Coined “The American Basketball Shoe,” the low-top style was selected by the U.S. team for use in the 1976 Olympic Games. The commercial declares that “through scientific analysis,” they built the shoe to help improve your game by reducing fatigue. “It’s easier to be on your toes and on your game when you’re wearing Converse All-Stars,” the ad concludes.

converse all stars, converse all-star basketball shoe 1976, converse 1976 basketball yearbook special olympic issue — An Olympics special edition Converse yearbook featuring the 1976 All-Star shoe.

Converse Pro Leather, 1977

A year later, Julius ” Dr. J” Erving starred in a commercial wearing the high-top Pro Leather. The Sixers star is seen dunking as a jingle goes, “Hey, hey, Dr. J, where’d you get those moves?” It ends with, “Where’d you get those moves, are you wearing magic shoes?”

Watch on FN

convese, converse all-stars, julius erving, dr. j — Dr. J dunks in a 1977 commercial exclaiming that Converse is the “Shoes of the Stars.”

dr. j pro leather shoes, converse, Julius Erving Dual Signed Pro Leather PE Game Sneakers — Julius Erving Dual Signed Pro Leather PE Game Sneakers.

Converse StarTech, 1984

The StarTech was the official athletic shoe of the 1984 Olympics. The commercial depicts a kid dribbling a basketball as soon as he wakes up, while showering shower, and then on the streets of New York City (with the Statue of Liberty in the background). “To dribble from New York to L.A., you’ve gotta have a dream,” the ad declares.

converse, converse startech, converse ad 1984 — A still from the commercial shows high-top and mid-top versions.

Converse Weapon, 1986

The 1986 commercial for the Converse Weapon featured six NBA all-star players, including Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird, rapping about how the high-top shoes enhanced their performance on the court. Bird concludes the video by rapping, “You already know what they did for me, I walked away with the MVP.”

Manute Bol (October 16, 1962 – June 19, 2010) #10, Center for the Washington Bullets challenges #32 Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers during their NBA Pacific Division basketball game on 5th January 1986 at The Forum arena in Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, United States. The Lakers won the game 118 - 88. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images) — Magic Johnson wears Converse Weapons during a game against the Washington Bullets in 1986.

converse ad, converse weapon, Vintage 1986 Converse Weapon print ad featuring Larry Bird and Magic Johnson — Vintage 1986 Converse Weapon print ad featuring Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

Converse Acropolis, 1995

Starring Latrell Sprewell, this commercial was for his CONS Acropolis shoe. It opens with, “This man owns so much court, we call him the ‘Landlord.'” When complimented on his kicks in the ad, the Golden State Warriors star goes, “Cons, baby.”

converse, converse Acropolis, latrell sprewell — Latrell Sprewell wearing the Converse Acropolis.

All-Star Rodman, 1997

This 1997 commercial spotlighted Dennis Rodman’s second signature shoe with the brand. The design was inspired by his tattoos and unique flair. In the commercial, the former bad boy Bulls star challenges the viewer, saying, “Maybe if I didn’t have tattoos or piercings, or dye my hair — maybe if I didn’t think for myself, or be myself — would you see me then?”