Sotheby‘s said that Michael Jordan’s pair of sneakers worn early in his career sold for about $1.5 million on Sunday. It establishes a record price at auction for game-worn footwear.
The shoes are of white leather with the red Nike swoosh and soles. Michael had worn this in the fifth game of his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls. “The most valuable sneakers ever offered at auction. Michael Jordan’s regular-season game-worn Nike Air Ships from 1984. I have just sold at $1,472,000 in our luxury sale in Las Vegas,” the auction house informs in a statement on Twitter.
The most valuable sneakers ever offered at auction
The record-breaking price considerably surpassed a pair of Nike Air Jordans that sold for $615,000 at a Christie’s auction in August 2020. Sotheby’s, the London-based auction house behind the record-breaking sale, confirms Jordan’s autograph size 13s are in good condition “with signs of court wear and tear”. The sneakers were given to Tommie Tim III Lewis, a ballboy for the Denver Nuggets during the 1984-85 season, by the player. Nick Fiorella, a well-known collector, purchased the autographed sneakers.
Kanye West’s first pair of Yeezys, a pair of black leather high-tops worn by the rapper to the Grammys in 2008. It was sold for $1.8 million at a private auction in April. It makes them the most expensive pair of trainers. The craze for limited edition styles shows trainer trading is becoming a big business. StockX, which describes “a marketplace for current culture”, is among those leading the charge. The Michigan-based company, valued at $3.8bn. It offers its customer base the opportunity to buy and sell sneakers along with other collectibles.
While sports labels used to dominate the shoe business. Now designer houses like Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton now offer their own designs. In 2017, Balenciaga’s Triple S sneaker became the best-selling luxury sneaker on the market.
