Mon 25 October 2021:
On Sunday, a pair of sneakers worn by NBA legend Michael Jordan as a rookie in 1984-85 sold at Sotheby’s for about $1.5 million.
The iconic athlete wore the red-and-white shoes in the Chicago Bulls’ fifth game of the season, and Nike’s Jordan-affiliated brand rapidly became a sensation both on and off the court.
“The most valuable sneakers ever offered at auction — Michael Jordan’s regular season game-worn Nike Air Ships from 1984 — have just sold at $1,472,000 in our luxury sale in Las Vegas,” the auction house said in a statement on Twitter.
The record-breaking price was swiftly surpassed by a pair of Nike Air Jordans that sold for $615,000 at a Christie’s auction in August 2020.
In April, a pair of Kanye West’s Nike Air Yeezy 1s sold for $1.8 million, breaking the previous record for sneakers – though it was a private transaction.
The demand for unique sports shoes is on the rise. The record price for shoes has been beaten multiple times recently, as what was formerly considered a niche industry attracted attention from both the general public and top collectors.
The signature shoes that went under the hammer on Sunday predate the release of the original Air Jordans, the now-iconic sneaker line that quickly evolved from popular basketball footwear to sought-after streetwear around the world.
Peter Moore created the Air Ships, which were the inspiration for the Air Jordans. In 1984 and 1985, Jordan wore the Air Ships model, as well as upgraded ones in 1986.
Photo: A Sotheby’s employee holds the pair of Michael Jordan’s Nike Air Ships from 1984 that sold for $1.472 million at auction. (Julian Cassady Photography/via Sotheby’s)
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