The basketball shoes worn by ‘Basketball Emperor’ Michael Jordan in the NBA Finals in the 1990s sold for $2.2 million (approximately 2.9 billion won).
On the 11th (local time), the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the Air Jordan XIII (13) model worn by Jordan in the 1998 NBA Finals was sold for $2.2 million (approximately 2.9 billion won) at Sotheby’s auction held online that day. The net bid price excluding fees was $1.8 million (approximately 2.38 billion won), breaking the record for the highest bid price for sneakers.
The basketball shoes sold this time were worn by Jordan in the second half of Game 2 of the 1998 Finals against the Jazz in Utah. Sotheby’s said, “It was a gift Jordan gave to the ball boy after he signed it after the game.” However, the identities of the seller and buyer were not disclosed.
The media said, “The record for the highest price in the sneaker auction market was newly written,” and “Jordan surpassed Ye and became the champion of the sneaker auction market.” The previous record was a Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototype model of Yeezy, a fashion brand founded by American rapper ‘Ye (Kanye West)’, sold for $1.8 million in 2012.
However, it is also reported that the sale price of the Air Jordan 13 did not reach Sotheby’s expected price. Earlier, Sotheby’s speculated that the product would be sold for up to $4 million (5.29 billion won).
The media said, “Nike (Jordan sneakers, etc.) prices at auction houses have become standard at 5-6 digits.” Sales rose steeply, which reflects Jordan’s popular popularity that continues even now, 20 years after retirement.”
Meanwhile, at the Sotheby’s auction in 2021, the Nike sneakers worn by Jordan in the year he debuted in the NBA in 1984 were sold for $1.472 million (approximately 1.94 billion won). Also last year, a uniform top worn in the first game of the 1998 NBA Finals was auctioned off for 10.1 million dollars (approximately 13.3 billion won). This was the highest price ever for a collectible item actually worn at a sporting event.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.