A pair of sneakers donned by basketball icon Michael Jordan has been auctioned for $2.2 million, becoming the most expensive pair of sneakers ever sold.
The trade of the merchandise secures Jordan’s place at the top of record-breaking auctions of sporting relics as the most valuable athlete in history.
“Today’s record-breaking result further proves that the demand for Michael Jordan sports memorabilia continues to outperform and transcend all expectations,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Streetwear and Modern Collectables.
The Air Jordan XIIIs sold on Tuesday were worn by the basketball star in his last championship season with the Chicago Bulls in 1997-98.
The six-time NBA champion had the size-13 shoes on when he scored 37 points in the second game of the 1998 NBA Finals series, carrying the Bulls to a 93-88 victory over the Utah Jazz.
Arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, Jordan now owns a number of unparallel records in auctioned sports memorabilia.
His previous record for Jordan shoes was $1.47m for a pair of his Nike Air Ships auctioned in 2021. A jersey he wore during the 1998 NBA Finals sold in 2022 for $10.1m.
Jordan had a trophy-laden career in which he won a total of six NBA Finals championships, two Olympic Gold Medals and several other important accolades.
