Auction house Sotheby’s is offering one of the most significant items from basketball player Michael Jordan’s career – the ‘Black and Red’ Air Jordan sneakers. It was notably worn by Mr. Jordan in the NBA finals during the Last Dance season – his final season with the Chicago Bulls in 1998.
“The Last Dance” was Michael Jordan’s ‘magnum opus’ as an athlete – a testament to him as a competitor, a sportsman, a teammate, and ultimately, a champion. He wore the remarkable ‘Bred’ Air Jordan XIII sneakers during the second half of the Game 2 against Utah Jazz and finally won his 6th NBA Championship and 6th Finals MVP award. Immediately after the game, the ball-boy responsible for maintaining the visitors’ locker room received the signed sneakers as a gift from Mr. Jordan.
An important relic from the height of Ms. Jordan’s career, his 1998 NBA Finals Game 2 shoes are among the most illustrious pieces of sports memorabilia to exist, and the present example is the only complete pair of his game-worn shoes from the 1998 NBA Finals to have been authenticated by The MeiGray Group, the game worn partner and authenticator for the NBA – to appear at auction.
The historic sneakers could break the current record of Michael Jordan Regular Season Game Worn Nike Air Ships, which was sold for $1.472 million in 2021 at Sotheby’s. The shoes will be offered in an online auction series featuring best sports memorabilia from iconic past and present athletes. The auctions will be open for bidding from April 3 to 11.
