NEWS
Michael Jordan's sneakers sell at unprecedented $8-M in Sotheby's auction
2/4/24, 9:45 AM
A Sotheby’s auction sold professional basketball icon Michael Jordan’s sneaker collection to a new record of US$8 million, marking the highest amount every fetched for a game-worn sneakers in auction history.
The six sneakers worn by Jordan during his championship victories at the National Basketball Association were auctioned off on Friday (February 1).
Dubbed by Sothebys as the Dynasty Collection, the sneakers were worn by HIs Airness when he led Chicago Bulls in championship victories in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998.
The sale exceeded the previous record set in April, 2023 when another pair owned by the basketball legend was reportedly auctioned for US$2.2 million.
“Serving as both a reminder of Michael Jordan’s lasting impact on the world and a tangible expression of his recognized legendary status, its significance is further validated by this monumental result,” Brahm Wacter of Sotheby’s said.
The buyer remained anonymous and was described only as “a private American collector”.
The lot includes a unique set of signed 1/1 limited photographs by Bill Smith, showcasing Jordan's jubilant moments after the 1992, 1993, 1996, and 1998 NBA Finals, wearing only one sneaker.
“The other sneaker had been given to Tim Hallam, a Chicago Bulls public relations executive who had been with the team since 1978,” Sotheby’s said in a statement.
In addition to this sneaker record, Jordan also holds the title for the most expensive game-worn sports memorabilia. His jersey worn during the 1998 NBA Finals Game 1 was sold for USD 10.1 million in September 2022.
Throughout his illustrious career, Jordan secured six NBA championships with the Bulls, along with six NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and five league MVPs during his 15 seasons in the NBA. Recognized as the greatest basketball player of all time by many, Jordan's sneakers have become cultural icons. Despite the astronomical prices his memorabilia commands, Jordan's net worth is estimated at $3 billion according to Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires List.