Six championship Air Jordan shoes worn by Michael Jordan were sold for $8 million as part of Sotheby’s “Dynasty Collection”, setting a new record

master Reporter Sotheby’s auction house “The Dynasty Collection,” a set of six individual shoes, presented by Michael Jordan Each time he won an NBA championship, he was acquired for a record $8 million by an as-yet-undisclosed buyer.

According to Complex magazine, it is the second most expensive piece of memorabilia after Michael Jordan’s jersey from Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals sold for $10.1 million in 2022. This latest acquisition shows that growth in the sports collectibles industry isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Including 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), the “Dynasty Series” according to the auction house The work was initially expected to sell for $7 million to $10 million, the company said.

The sneaker also has a deep emotional connection to the Chicago Bulls. According to Sotheby’s, before the 1991 NBA Finals, Tim Hallam, then the Chicago Bulls’ communications director for more than a decade, asked Jordan to give him some personal gifts if the team won. . Specifically, he asked Jordan for a pair of sneakers.

When the Bulls won, Jordan signed and inscribed the shoes and presented them to Hallam. Jordan, known for being a bit superstitious, turned this unusual exchange into a ritual. During the Bulls’ six NBA championships, Hallam received a pair of shoes each time. Later a private owner acquired Haarlem’s shoes, Sotheby’s.

Brahm Watcher, Sotheby’s head of modern collections, said in an official statement: “This is both a reminder of Michael Jordan’s lasting impact on the world and a concrete reflection of his recognized legendary status. , this landmark achievement further confirms its importance,” per

This acquisition represents the continued enthusiasm and admiration of many basketball What fans are saying about the Chicago Bulls player and six-time Finals MVP (who remains unmatched as of 2024).

It is unclear what the private purchase was as the buyer of the collection has not yet been revealed. sports shoes For the average memorabilia fan, especially those who value the visibility of black-related historical items Achievement In sports.

Prior to the auction, shoes from “The Dynasty Collection” were showcased around the world. In addition to being on display during the 2022 National Sports Collectors Convention, the set is also on display in New York City, NY; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Hong Kong, China; London, UK; and Singapore, according to Bulls News Fan Nation .

If history is any indication, game worn Items will most likely be retained and untouched, and for good reason. However, there are some considerations as to whether these priceless artifacts should be stored in air-controlled storage lockers or visible in public and cultural institutions.

This is especially important since the purchase includes other items that may be of great interest to Bulls fans.

The collection includes a set of limited-edition 1/1 photos signed by longtime Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bears photographer Bill Smith, who captured some of the most important moments in sports history,

These auction images depicting Michael Jordan following his Finals wins in 1992, 1993, 1996 and 1998 are a valuable addition to an already stacked collection of purchases.

In the photos, Jordan wears one shoe and celebrates each victory in a now-classic elated look.