An autographed Michael Jordan sneaker from the 1998 NBA Finals sold for $2.2 million, making it the most expensive sneaker ever, according to auction house Sotheby’s.
The Air Jordan 13 “Breds” (short for “black and red”) were worn by Jordan in Game 2 of the Finals during his last season with the Chicago Bulls, known as the “Last Dance”.
Jordan scored 37 points in the game to lead the Bulls to a 93-88 victory over the Utah Jazz. He won his sixth and final NBA championship and was named Finals MVP.
According to Sotheby’s, Jordan gave the Jazz Ballboy a pair of sneakers after the game as a thank you for finding his lost jacket.
The sneakers worn by Jordan in the NBA Finals game are the only complete sneakers that have been photo-matched and authenticated by MeiGray Group, the NBA’s official authentication agency, the auctioneer added.
The previous record for sneakers was held by Kanye West’s Nike Air Easy 1, which Sotheby’s sold for $1.8 million in 2021.
Sotheby’s will also auction the Jordan jersey used in the opening game of the 1998 Finals for $10.1 million in September 2022, making it the most game-worn sporting memorabilia ever sold. It has become an expensive piece of work.
(Reporting by Hritika Sharma, Bangalore; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
