A pair of Michael Jordan's championship Air Jordan shoes sold for a record $8 million (£6.33 million) at auction.
The six individual sneakers, which Jordan wore during his six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s, were auctioned as part of Sotheby's “The Dynasty Collection.”
On Friday, February 2, the auction house announced that the complete set sold for $8,032,800, setting a new world auction record for used sneakers.
The set consists of the Air Jordan VI (1991), Air Jordan VII (1992), Air Jordan VIII (1993), Air Jordan XI (1996), Air Jordan XII (1997) and Air Jordan XIV (1998). Each shoe is autographed by Jordan and the lot includes limited signed photographs by Bill Smith taken after the 1992, 1993, 1996 and 1998 NBA Finals.
The auction house initially estimated the value of the lot to be between $7 million and $10 million. According to Sotheby's, one buyer purchased the entire collection at its New York City branch for an astonishing price.
“Today's record price is a testament to the GOAT,” Sotheby's director of modern collectibles, Brahm Wachter, said in a statement. ESPN reported. “Without a doubt, the Dynasty Collection is among the most important compilations of sports memorabilia in history. Serving as a reminder of Michael Jordan's lasting impact on the world and a tangible expression of his renowned legendary status, his importance is further validated by this monumental result.
“A truly incomparable moment and a milestone in auction history, the sale of these six championship-winning sneakers will likely never be repeated,” he added.
Sotheby's Air Jordan Dynasty Collection
(Sotheby's Dynasty Collection)
The Dynasty Collection will be available to view in Dubai until March 3.
This is not the first time that memorabilia of the legendary basketball player has sold for a huge amount. In fact, Jordan still holds the record for most expensive game-worn sports memorabilia. In 2022, Sotheby's will auction Jordan's Chicago Bulls jersey, which he wore during the first game of the 1998 NBA Finals, for a record $10.1 million (£8 million).
Last August, an autographed pair of his Nike Air Ships, worn before the release of the popular Air Jordans in 1985, sold for $624,000 (£493,944). Meanwhile, his Air Jordan 13 that he wore during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals sold for more than $2.2 million (£1.8 million) at auction in May 2023.
The independent has contacted Sotheby's for comment.
