A pair of Air Jordans worn by Michael Jordan in his last championship run with the Chicago Bulls is set to break the record as the most expensive sneakers ever auctioned.
The Air Jordan 13s – also known as the Bred Air Jordans as a shorthand for the black and red color scheme – were released in May 1998, right in the thick of Jordan's postseason run with the Bulls. According to Sotheby's, the sneakers were among the final public releases of the Air Jordan brand during his career with the Bulls.
After losing in Game 1 of the NBA Finals that year, Jordan wore the shoes in the second half of Game 2 and helped the Bulls beat the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center by, Sotheby's said. Following the game, he gave the sneakers to a ball boy who maintained the visitors' locker room and signed them as thank you for his services, according to the auction house. Jordan and the Bulls won their sixth championship soon after.
Michael Jordan goes up for a dunk in the second half of Game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT. Jordan had a game-high 37 points leading the Bulls to a victory 93-88 to tie the series at 1-1. Braham Wachter, Sotheby's head of streetwear and modern collectables, said in a statement that items from Jordan's basketball career continue to attract significant interest.
"Michael Jordan game-worn sports memorabilia has proven time-and-time again to be the most elite and coveted items on the market... Worn in his final year with the Bulls, the iconic Air Jordans coming to auction this April will be sure to excite the collector community and sports fans in this most important Jordan Year," said Wachter, who made a nod to Jordan's No. 23 jersey.
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