A pair of basketball shoes worn in 1984 by the American basketball legend Michael jordan were auctioned on Sunday at Sotheby’s for a record price of nearly $ 1.5 million.
“The most valuable sneakers ever offered at auction – the Nike Air Ships model used in regular games in 1984 – just sold for $ 1,472,000 at our luxury sale in Las Vegas“Sotheby’s said in a statement.
LATEST: The first Nike worn by Michael Jordan in the regular season sold at a Sotheby’s auction in Las Vegas for $ 1.472 million, breaking an auction record for sneakers. https://t.co/yWayfdzn4z
– Bloomberg (@company) 24 October 2021
The white and red shoes were worn by Jordan in Game 5 of his debut NBA season as Chicago Bulls player in 1984, and are signed by the former player.
This is the first time a pair of shoes at public auction has exceeded $ 1 million, and they were acquired by a collector Nick Fiorella.
“This record result of the Jordan Nike Air Ships reaffirms the place of Michael Jordan and the Air Jordan franchise at the top of the footwear market,”Brahm Wachter of the auction house explained after the auction closed.
76ers v Wizards X Jordan November 3, 2001: Michael Jordan # 23 of the Washington Wizards smiles as he picks up 20 points against the Philadelphia 76ers as the Wizards beat the 76ers 90-76 in NBA action at the MCI Center in Washington DC.
Doug Pensinger (NBAE / Getty Images)
Previously, in 2020, a Nike Air Jordan 1 High worn by the basketball legend in 1985 was put up for sale at Christie’s auction of $ 615,000.
Jordan retired from basketball in 2003 and is considered one of the best players in the history of the sport.
