Michael Jordan’s earliest known NBA game sneakers cost $624,000

According to Bleacher Report, the Nike Air Ship shoes worn by Michael Jordan have sold for more than $500,000 after returning to the auction block.

As AFROTECH previously told you, the basketball legend first wore these autographed shoes in the fifth game of his career in 1984. It fell into the hands of then-Denver Nuggets ballboy Tj Lewis.

“After the game, the Bulls finished their team meeting, and I was able to go into the locker room and start cleaning up to end the night,” Lewis said of the special day, according to Goldin. “I looked over. Saw Michael Jordan sitting in front of his locker, still in uniform. I moved closer so he could see me, hoping he would change his mind and not give me the shoes. To my surprise , he suddenly noticed me, lowered his head and grabbed the shoes he wore to the game that night, then looked up at me and asked if I wanted them? Of course I said yes, found a pen, and asked him to put two The shoes were signed. On one shoe he just signed his name, and on the other he signed “My Very Best To Tj Michael Jordan.”

Lewis held onto the shoes for 40 years before auctioning them off for the first time in 2021.

According to Goldin, this time the shoes are priced at $520,000. The final sale price was $624,000 (including buyer’s premium).

“Perhaps one of the most important and certainly one of the most important pairs of sneakers among collectors,” Ken Golding said in the video. “These were the games the Jordan Airships were made after he signed a Nike contract and worn before the Jordan Airships. “We do know that he wore these when he was a rookie, in just the fifth NBA game of his career. Pair of shoes. “

He continued, “We have a photo that potentially matches that game and a letter of provenance from the Denver Nuggets ball boy who got the photos specifically from Jordan after the game. However, they are also very Probably worn in multiple games before that, possibly including his first or second NBA game ever. Jordan signed and engraved one of the shoes and you’ll see a vintage Jordan signature. This is another piece of real history.”