In a historic auction event, Michael Jordan’s iconic “The Dynasty Collection” of game-worn sneakers, showcasing the shoes he wore during each of his NBA championship victories, has sold for a whopping $8 million. Hosted by Sotheby’s in New York City, this sale has set a new record for the most expensive game-worn sneakers ever sold.
This is the second-highest price for Jordan memorabilia; his game-worn 1998 NBA Finals Game 1 jersey went for the $10.1 million, Sports Illustrated reported.
The “Dynasty Collection” comprises six pairs of Air Jordan shoes, each representing a pivotal moment in Jordan’s legendary career as he led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles. These sneakers, worn during the championship-clinching games of 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998.
More Than Just Shoes
“Today’s record-breaking price is a testament to the GOAT. The Dynasty Collection undeniably ranks among the most significant compilations of sports memorabilia in history,” Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectables, said in a statement. “Serving as both a reminder of Michael Jordan’s lasting impact on the world and a tangible expression of his recognized legendary status, its significance is further validated by this monumental result.”
While the identity of the buyer remains undisclosed, Sotheby’s revealed that the seller was a private American collector who acquired the sneakers from a longtime Bulls executive. The tradition of gifting a sneaker to the executive after each championship win further enhances the historical value of these iconic shoes, documented with accompanying photos of Jordan celebrating his victories while wearing them.
As a five-time league MVP and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Jordan’s legacy as a basketball icon is so far unmatched. His partnership with Nike to create the iconic Air Jordans in the mid-1980s forever changed the athletic shoe industry and boosted sneaker culture to new heights.
The sale of Michael Jordan’s “The Dynasty Collection” follows previous record-breaking auctions of his memorabilia, including the $2.2 million sale of a pair of sneakers he wore in the 1998 NBA Finals.
