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Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals Game 2 Air Jordan 13s from "The Last Dance" season were expected to sell for $2 million to $4 million.
Courtesy: Sotheby's
A pair of Michael Jordan's shoes have become the most valuable sneakers ever to be sold at auction.
Sotheby's says the Nike Air Jordan 13 sneakers sold for a record $2.2 million on Tuesday. The basketball legend wore them during the 1998 NBA Finals, known as "The Last Dance" because it was Jordan's final year with the Chicago Bulls.
It may be a new world record, but the shoes sold on the lower end of estimates. They had been expected to fetch between $2 million and $4 million, the auction house told CNBC last month.
"Today's record-breaking result further proves that the demand for Michael Jordan sports memorabilia continues to outperform and transcend all expectations," said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby's head of streetwear and modern collectibles.
Sotheby's to offer the most valuable sneakers to ever appear at auction.
Courtesy: Sotheby's
Jordan wore the valuable sneakers during Game 2 of the NBA Finals, where he scored 37 points as the Bulls beat the Utah Jazz, 93-88. After the game, Jordan gifted the sneakers to a longtime Jazz ball boy who maintained the visitors' locker room.
The Bulls went on to win the 1998 NBA Finals for their sixth title of the decade in a season that has gainednotoriety and inspired the ESPN and Netflix documentary"The Last Dance."
Jordan memorabilia has been a hot commodity for auction houses such as Sotheby's and has helped them grow their business with new, younger clients.
The auction house sold a pair of Michael Jordan's Air Ships for $1.472 million in 2021 and last year sold a game-worn jersey from Jordan's final season for arecord-breaking $10.1 million, which became the most valuable game-worn sports memorabilia to ever be sold.
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As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the world of sports memorabilia and auctions, my extensive knowledge allows me to speak with authority on the subject. Over the years, I have closely followed the trends and transactions within this niche market, staying abreast of record-breaking sales and the factors that contribute to their success.
The recent auction of Michael Jordan's Nike Air Jordan 13 sneakers at Sotheby's further exemplifies the extraordinary demand for iconic sports artifacts. The sneakers, worn by Jordan during the pivotal Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals, known as "The Last Dance," fetched a record-breaking $2.2 million. This sale, though slightly below the anticipated range of $2 million to $4 million, signifies the continued dominance of Michael Jordan's memorabilia in the collector's market.
The Air Jordan 13s are not just shoes; they are artifacts tied to a momentous chapter in basketball history. Jordan's performance during Game 2 of the NBA Finals, where he scored 37 points leading the Chicago Bulls to a 93-88 victory over the Utah Jazz, adds an unparalleled level of significance to these sneakers. The fact that Jordan personally gifted the shoes to a longtime Jazz ball boy after the game adds a unique layer of provenance, enhancing their desirability among collectors.
Sotheby's, a prominent player in the sports memorabilia auction scene, recognizes the enduring allure of Michael Jordan's legacy. Brahm Wachter, Sotheby's head of streetwear and modern collectibles, aptly notes that the record-breaking sale "further proves that the demand for Michael Jordan sports memorabilia continues to outperform and transcend all expectations." This sentiment is not isolated to this particular auction but is reflective of a broader trend where Jordan's memorabilia consistently shatters previous records.
This isn't the first time Sotheby's has played a pivotal role in the sale of Michael Jordan memorabilia. In 2021, the auction house sold a pair of Jordan's Air Ships for $1.472 million. Moreover, a game-worn jersey from Jordan's final season reached a staggering $10.1 million in a previous auction, setting a new benchmark for the most valuable game-worn sports memorabilia ever sold.
The prominence of Michael Jordan's memorabilia in the auction market has not only set new records but has also contributed to the growth of auction houses, attracting a younger clientele. The success of auctions featuring Jordan's items is further exemplified by the cultural impact of "The Last Dance," a documentary series that delves into the Bulls' 1997-1998 season, making it a pivotal moment for both sports history and memorabilia enthusiasts.
In conclusion, the $2.2 million sale of Michael Jordan's Nike Air Jordan 13 sneakers is not merely a transaction; it's a testament to the enduring legacy of one of basketball's greatest icons and the insatiable appetite of collectors for tangible connections to sporting history. The narrative surrounding these sneakers, from the historic NBA Finals game to the personal gift from Jordan himself, cements their status as the most valuable sneakers ever sold at auction.
