Upon learning about the remarkable sale of a Michael Jordan shoe that set a record, it’s clear that something extraordinary has occurred. Taking a moment to reflect, Sotheby’s, the prestigious auction house, successfully auctioned a pair of Michael Jordan’s Air Jordan 13 sneakers for a staggering $2.238 million, with the buyer choosing to remain anonymous.
What makes this particular pair of shoes unique is that Michael Jordan wore them during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals. Facing a 0-1 deficit, Jordan and the Chicago Bulls had to confront the hostile environment of the Utah Jazz, a game even MJ’s children couldn’t attend due to safety concerns raised by their mother. Following a stellar performance in which Jordan scored 37 points, 3 assists, and 5 rebounds, securing a 93-88 victory over the Utah Jazz, he autographed the shoes with a silver pen. These shoes were then gifted to a ball boy responsible for the visitors’ locker room, who had previously returned a lost jacket to Michael. During the exchange, the ball boy inquired about obtaining Jordan’s shoes after the game, and the rest, as they say, is history—a history now valued at 2.24 million dollars. Not too shabby.
Having secured a victory in Utah and subsequently clinching his sixth and final NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls, it became evident that Game 2 marked the last occasion Michael Jordan would don the Air Jordan 13 in a professional basketball game. The Air Jordan 13 “Bred,” featured in the Netflix show “The Last Dance,” thus takes on a distinct significance, evolving into a unique silhouette of exceptional value for collectors.
Although the recent sale isn’t the inaugural instance of game-worn Michael Jordan sneakers being auctioned, Sotheby’s had previously presented the comprehensive “Dynasty Collection.” This collection comprised six distinct Air Jordan sneakers, each worn by Michael Jordan during the pivotal games that secured his six career NBA championships. The set encompassed 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).
