This is the moment basketball fans (rich ones) have been waiting for.
A unique set of six pairs of Michael Jordan “Championship Clinching” game-worn Air Jordan sneakers is up for auction and is expected to sell for between $7-10 million.
Sotheby’s, an international auctioneer and private seller of high-end exclusives, has listed the items for sale after the current owners put them up for sale.
“This is the Mona Lisa of sneaker collections and sports memorabilia,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s vice president and head of modern collectibles.
Widely known as the “Dynasty Series,” the collection was worn by him during every “Air Jordan” championship and he won the Finals MVP award six times.
Sotheby’s stated in the auction records: “There is no higher level of sports collectibles, this is the pinnacle.” This represents the most valuable and important collection of Air Jordan sneakers, or arguably any in history. Collection of other sports memorabilia.
The set includes one shoe each of 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)). ).
In 2020, Jordan released the acclaimed documentary “The Last Dance,” chronicling the Bulls’ success during one of the most victorious eras in sports history, featuring previously shelved footage.
Some believe this is to maintain his “GOAT” status, with the likes of LeBron James rising to try to usurp his throne.
Before the 1991 NBA Finals, PR executive Tim Hallam, who had worked for the Chicago Bulls since 1978, reportedly asked Jordan that he could gift the star a pair if the Bulls won. sports shoes.
Jordan’s superstition ensured that the tradition would continue throughout his illustrious career.
“I wanted something that was really part of the game, so I asked Michael for a pair of shoes,” Hallam said, according to The Pantagraph.
“It’s become a long-standing joke between us now.
“Every year after we won the championship, Michael would take off his shoes in the interview area, sign them and give them to me.
“It was kind of funny to see Michael walking around with one shoe on and one shoe off.”
Hallam has owned the sneakers for more than 20 years without wearing them and has been enlisted by the current owner to help sell them to the highest bidder.
The shoe was previously sold via a private sale in early 2023 as the owner sought to remain anonymous.