Worn sports shoe fetches record sum in New York

For many of us, expanding a sneaker collection with pre-owned pairs may not seem appealing.

For many of us, it may not seem an attractive idea to expand the sneaker collection with a few already worn ones. Yet the Jordan sneakers – yes, worn by the one and only – once again managed to fetch a record amount during an auction in New York. 

In 1984, the Air Jordan became the result of the first collaboration between Nike and the then rising star Michael Jordan. At that time, Nike was mainly known as a running shoe brand. But since the first release in 1984, the Air Jordan and related products have continued to expand Nike's domain and, according to the sports brand, set the tone for basketball and sneaker culture as we know it today. The variants worn by Michael Jordan in particular appear to be a real gold mine. Last year, a pair of Air Jordans went under the auction hammer for €2 million. History was made again last Friday.

A set of six sneakers, which the basketball icon wore while winning his total of six NBA titles, were sold at a Sotheby's auction for more than €7.4 million. The collection spans from Jordan's first win with the Chicago Bulls in 1991 to his victory over the Seattle SuperSonics in 1996 after he retired, to his final season with the Bulls in 1998.

“The sales of as many as six championship sneakers will probably never be matched”

According to Brahm Wachter of Sotheby's, the sale is a milestone: ''The record price is a tribute to the GOAT. The collection undoubtedly ranks among the most significant compilations of sports memorabilia in history. Not only does it serve as a reminder of Michael Jordan's lasting impact on the world, but also as a tangible expression of his legendary status. This is truly a unique moment and a milestone in the history of auctions. Sales of as many as six championship sneakers will likely never be matched.”

Although more than seven million euros is a decent price for six sneakers, this is not the highest amount paid for Jordan memorabilia. Previously, a shirt of the 1.98 meter tall sportsman went under the hammer for € 10.1 million.