One pair of Michael Jordan sneakers, which were worn in his rookie season, was sold to Nick Fiorella, a high-end collector of cards. It was auctioned at Sotheby's Icons of Excellence & Haute Luxe Auction in Las Vegas on Sunday. This broke the record for the most expensive game-worn footwear.
They were worn in Jordan's fifth NBA match, a 17-point, 5-rebound, and 5-assist game against the Denver Nuggets. The sneakers could have been worn earlier, according to photo-matching.
These shoes are Nike Air Ships. They were designed by Bruce Kilgore, a sneaker legend who also created the Nike Air Force 1s in 1982. He then went on to create the Air Jordan IIs. Legend has it that Jordan's first signature shoe, the Air Jordan 1, was not ready when Nike made its first deal with him in 1984. Nike provided Jordan with Air Ships, but Jordan's shoes were so bright that the NBA told him they violated the uniform clause.
One pair of Michael Jordan's game-worn sneakers sold for $1.472 Million, breaking the previous record of $615,000 for the most expensive game-worn footwear. Sotheby's
Notably, this pair was signed by Jordan and gifted to, kept, and sold by TJ Lewis, former Nuggets player.
Brahm Wachter is the head of Sotheby’s modern collectibles and streetwear arm. He said that "from the moment it was announced about these sneakers, it generated enormous [buzz]. This remarkable result for Jordan Nike Air Ships speaks to the strength and esteem that Michael Jordan's items are held.
Unsurprisingly, the previous record for game-worn sneakers was also a pair by Jordan. Jordan broke a backboard in 1985 during a preseason exhibition held in Italy. He also dunk. He was still wearing the Air Jordan 1s he wore in 1985, and the shoe with a piece glass in its sole sold at Christie's auction for $615,000.
The Jordan Air Ships are second most expensive shoes ever sold at auction. Kanye West's Yeezy 1 prototypes, which he revealed publicly at the 2008 Grammys, were sold by Sotheby's for $1.8million.
