Michael Jordan's championship-worn shoes fetch record $8m at auction
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New York: A collection of basketball legend Michael Jordan's game-worn shoes, encompassing six NBA championship victories with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s, achieved a record-breaking sale of $8 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York.
Presented as "The Dynasty Collection," the set comprised six distinct trainers, including the Air Jordan VI (1991), VII (1992), VIII (1993), XI (1996), XII (1997), and XIV (1998) models, all autographed by Michael Jordan, reported the Independent.
The sale also included a limited edition autographed photograph by Bill Smith, capturing Jordan's celebrations during four championship games.
The auction, held on February 2, marked a milestone in sports memorabilia history, setting a new worldwide record for the highest price achieved for game-worn trainers at auction. The lot, initially valued between $7 million and $10 million, was sold as a whole to a bidder at Sotheby's New York City office.
Sotheby's head of modern collectibles, Brahm Wachter, said, "Today's record-breaking price is a testament to the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). The Dynasty Collection undeniably ranks among the most significant compilations of sports memorabilia in history." Highlighting the enduring impact of Michael Jordan, Wachter added, "Its significance is further validated by this monumental result," emphasising the uniqueness of the moment and describing the sale as a "milestone in auction history."
Michael Jordan's illustrious career included achievements such as six Finals MVPs, five league MVPs, two Olympic Gold Medals, and six NBA titles.
This auction follows previous records set by Jordan's memorabilia, including the sale of his Chicago Bulls jersey worn in the opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals, which fetched $10.1 million at a Sotheby's auction in 2022. In April of the previous year, a pair of sneakers worn by Jordan during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals sold for $2.2 million, solidifying his position with the most expensive game-worn sports memorabilia.