A set of 6 pairs of Michael Jordan’s personal championship sneakers sets an auction record of $8 million | Auction News | Value

In recent years, there has been a surge in demand for Michael Jordan game memorabilia, especially the Air Jordan shoes worn during the NBA Finals, which are considered the “holy grail” of basketball enthusiasts.

In 2023, the “Bred” sneakers he signed and wore in the 1998 NBA Finals sold for $2.3 million at Sotheby’s, becoming the most expensive sneaker ever sold at auction.

Entering 2024, the Air Jordan craze does not seem to have diminished at all: Recently, in another online auction at Sotheby’s, a set of six pairs of sneakers worn by Jordan in key games when he won six NBA championships in his career were sold. The $8 million sale set a new auction record for a game-worn sneaker. The average pair of shoes is worth nearly $1.34 million.

Known as the “Dynasty Series”, the series includes Air Jordan VI (1991), Air Jordan VII (1992), Air Jordan VIII (1993), Air Jordan XI (1996), Air Jordan XII (1997) and Air Jordan Tenth Four (1998). It’s worth noting that only one of each pair will be sold.

Michael Jordan game memorabilia highly sought after by collectors

Air Jordan XIII worn and signed by Michael Jordan in the 1998 NBA Finals “The Last Dance”, Game 2, sold for $2,238,000, Sotheby’s New York, April 2023

Lot 4 | Set of 6 Air Jordan sneakers worn by Michael Jordan in the “Contest of Champions” game | | SHOPBOP 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998

Source:

• Tim Hallam collection, acquired by current owner

Estimate: US$7,000,000-US$10,000,000
Price sold: $8,032,800

Auction House: Sotheby’s New York
Online Sales: One
Bid deadline: February 2, 2024

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The NBA legend’s unprecedented success as an athlete is well-documented and may never be replicated – 6 NBA championships, 6 Finals MVPs, 5 league MVPs and 2 Olympic gold medals are just a few of Jordan’s A small part of the accomplishment on the field. Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest athlete of all time.

In 2020, Netflix launched a blockbuster sports documentary series, last dance, the book chronicles Jordan’s rise, focusing specifically on the 1997-98 NBA season, his final run with the Chicago Bulls. Shortly after his debut, the superstar’s popularity surged again, and his collections were gobbled up by collectors and like-minded investors, causing their value to rise significantly.

The No. 23 jersey he wore during his playing days last dance For example, the 2022 season finale sold for $10.1 million, setting a record for the most expensive jersey and game-worn sports memorabilia at auction.

last dance Popular documentary (2020) shows the Bulls’ progress through the 1997-1998 season

Tim Hallam, communications director for the Chicago Bulls, with the team since 1978

After Jordan won his sixth championship, the media swarmed to snap photos of him celebrating, smoking cigars, opening champagne bottles or calling loved ones. One thing that became apparent was that Jordan was missing a shoe.

Before the 1991 NBA Finals, public relations director Tim Hallam, who had been with the Chicago Bulls since 1978, decided to ask Jordan for some personal items (if the Bulls won) and a pair of his game-ready Air Jordan sneakers worn in.

After his victory, Jordan complied with the request and signed autographs for both men. Being superstitious, he continued the tradition after winning six NBA championships, giving Hallam every pair of sneakers he wore in a game.

The sneakers were later acquired from Haarlem by the current owner, an American private collector. Also included in the lot is a set of signed 1/1 limited edition photos depicting Jordan smiling and celebrating after the 1992, 1993, 1996 and 1998 NBA Finals, wearing only one sneaker.

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1991 | Jordan VI | Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers

The 1991 NBA Finals was an important moment when Jordan “passed the torch” from Magic Johnson. Prior to the 1991 season, Jordan had never reached the Finals and was considered a scoring machine who could not win a championship if he did not conform to the team philosophy expounded by the likes of “Magic” Johnson and the Lakers.

After Game 1 of the Finals, it looked like that trend would continue, but the Bulls wouldn’t be easily defeated. After losing in Chicago, they bounced back and won the next four games, giving Jordan his first NBA championship and his first NBA Finals MVP and ushering in a run that would dominate the 1990s. Bulls Dynasty.

Wearing this pair of Air Jordan VIs, Jordan scored 30 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 5 steals and 2 blocks in Game 5 of the championship-clinching season.

1992 | Jordan VII | Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers

The defending champion Bulls return to the NBA Finals to face Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers. There is still one month left until the finals. sports illustrated Drexler was declared on the cover to be Jordan’s “number one rival.” Nicknamed “The Glider,” Drexler was known for his leaping ability, quick feet and seemingly effortless glide to the basket.

Although the two teams were neck-and-neck in the first four games of the series, the Bulls achieved a decisive victory in Game 5 in Portland, laying the foundation for another Bulls championship in Game 6. Despite trailing by 15 points entering the fourth quarter, the Bulls came back to overtake their opponents. The Trail Blazers secured the championship 33-14 in the last 12 minutes.

In this pair of Air Jordan VII, Jordan scored a game-high 33 points and contributed 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.

1993 | Air Jordan VIII | Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns

Although Michael Jordan won three consecutive NBA championships and led the Bulls back to the Finals, he did not win the NBA MVP in the 1992-93 season. The award was presented to Charles Barkley, a member of the Phoenix Suns and Jordan’s opponent in the 1993 NBA Finals.

After drawing comparisons to Clyde Drexler the year before, Jordan once again sought to prove that no other player could reach his level.

The Bulls led 3-2 in the series, and Jordan and the Bulls defeated the Suns 99-98 to complete their third consecutive championship. Jordan scored a game-high 33 points while wearing this pair of Air Jordan VIII, and contributed 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 steal.

1996 | Jordan XI | Air Jordan XI Chicago Bulls and Seattle SuperSonics

After his first three consecutive championships, Jordan retired from basketball in compliance with the wishes of his father, who passed away in 1993, and turned to a professional baseball career. But when MLB players went on strike in 1994, Jordan refused to cross the picket line. , and finally returned to the Bulls in March 1995.

That season, Jordan and the Bulls won a then-NBA record 72 games and reached the NBA Finals for the fourth time in a decade. This time, their opponent was the Seattle SuperSonics, led by All-Stars Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton.

In Game 6, the Bulls won 87-75 to claim their fourth NBA championship, with Jordan scoring 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals wearing the Air Jordan XI.

This championship-clinching victory, especially on Father’s Day, was an especially emotional game for Jordan, who was playing in his first NBA Finals since the tragic death of his father.

1997 | Jordan XII | Air Jordan XII Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz

In the 1997 NBA Finals, the Chicago Bulls faced off against the Utah Jazz, which featured two Hall of Famers in John Stockton and Karl Malone. The series also featured one of Jordan’s most iconic performances, often referred to as the “Flu Game.”

Before Game 5, with the series tied at two games, Jordan became seriously ill.Announcer Marv Albert claimed Jordan was suffering from “flu-like symptoms,” but Jordan himself later last dance He may actually have suffered from severe food poisoning from eating rotten pizza.

Regardless, Jordan miraculously overcame his apparent discomfort to score 38 points and lead the Bulls to a huge victory that set up a potentially decisive Game 6 victory.

In the end, the Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz 90-86 and won the fifth NBA championship in team history. Jordan scored a game-high 39 points while wearing this pair of Air Jordan XII, plus 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 block.

1998 | Jordan XIV | Air Jordan XIV Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz

The 1997-98 NBA season, often referred to as “The Last Dance,” was Michael Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls. This is perhaps the most beloved period in Jordanian folklore, as he reached the pinnacle of fame and power while overcoming major internal differences that divided the team. The players know that the team will eventually disband at the end of the season and this is their last chance to win one last championship together.

The fairytale season culminated in a rematch of the 1997 NBA Finals, pitting the Bulls against John Stockton, Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz.

In the pivotal Game 6 of the most-watched game in NBA history, Jordan drained a last-minute steal and then drained his signature game-winning jumper in the final seconds. In basketball circles, it’s simply known as “The Shot.”

At the end of the game, Jordan wore this pair of Air Jordan XIV and won the NBA record sixth Finals MVP and scored 45 points, helping the Bulls secure the championship 87-86 and consolidate the dynasty.