Producer: Peuli Bakshi
Six single Nike Air Jordans, worn by basketball legend Michael Jordan in the 1990s, fetched a record $8 million at Sotheby’s auction in New York.
An exceptional NBA player, Jordan earned the nickname “Air Jordan” because of his incredible leaping ability and acrobatic maneuvers.
Jordan gifted those shoes to Tim Hallam, a Chicago Bulls communications executive, after crucial games leading to the club's 6 NBA championships.
The sale price achieved for “The Dynasty Collection” sets a record for such unique offerings and ranks as the second-highest for Michael Jordan collectibles.
The 6 shoes sold include Air Jordan VI (1991), VII (1992), VIII (1993), XI (1996), XII (1997), and Air Jordan XIV (1998), each representing key moments.
“Today’s record-breaking price is a testament to the GOAT,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles.
In April 2023, Sotheby’s auctioned a pair of sneakers worn by Jordan in his final championship with the Chicago Bulls, fetching $2.2 million.
Those "Bred" (Black and Red) Air Jordan XIII shoes, signed by him, were worn during the 1998 NBA Finals vs Utah Jazz, as shown in The Last Dance documentary.
Collectors' demand since 2020-2021 has significantly raised the prices of such memorabilia at auctions.
Michael Jordan's 1998 final jersey holds the auction record at $10.1 million, surpassing Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup quarter-final shirt sold for $9.3 million.