NEW YORK — Signed sneakers Michael Jordan wore during NBA championship games sold for a whopping $8 million at an auction in New York City.
Sotheby’s announced Friday that a set of six individual sneakers worn by the basketball legend broke the record for the most expensive game-worn sneakers ever sold.
Dubbed “The Dynasty Collection,” the Nike-crafted footwear were each worn during Jordan’s championship-winning games in 1991, ‘92, ‘93, ‘96, ‘97 and ‘98.
The beloved basketball player, who retired in 2003, was famously photographed by Bill Smith wearing only one shoe while celebrating his wins. Limited images signed by the shutterbug also were included in the sale.
The auction house did not identify the buyer who ponied up $8,032,800 for the winning bid.
“Today’s record-breaking price is a testament to the GOAT,” Sotheby’s chief Brahm Wachter 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.”
The six sneakers stand out as the second-highest total amassed for Jordan swag at the auction house. A jersey worn by the Chicago Bulls icon in Game 1 of the 1998 “Last Dance” finals fetched $10.1 million in September 2022.
Seven months later, a pair of Air Jordans 13 worn in the 1998 NBA Finals Game 2 were sold for $2,238,000 — the most ever paid for a pair of sneakers at that time.
Wachter, who oversees Sotheby’s modern collectibles, described the hefty haul as “a truly unparalleled moment and milestone in auction history.”
