NBA Icon Michael Jordan’s Air Jordan 13 Sold for US$2.2 Million

A pair of Air Jordan 13 “Bred” sneakers worn by NBA icon Michael Jordan reached a record price of US$2.2 million during an auction by Sotheby’s on Tuesday, making them the most valuable sneakers ever sold.

The basketball star wore “Bred”—short for “black and red”—for the second game of the 1998 NBA championship season with the Chicago Bulls. Spotted on the court during the second half of the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz, Jordan’s team eventually captured the title by a score of 93 to 88, with Jordan scoring 37 points and being named MVP. To avid basketball fans, that year’s game became known as the “Last Dance”.

In 2020, a Netflix documentary was created to chronicle Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls and his final NBA championship.

According to auction house Sotheby’s, the pair of trainers were given to a ballboy after the game for finding a missing jacket. However, it is not known whether the recipient of the shoe has auctioned it off. The identity of the buyer is also a mystery. The “Bred” is the only full-length sneaker to have been matched to a photo and authorized by the MeiGray Group, the official authenticator of the NBA, according to Sotheby’s.

Commenting on the incredible sales, Brahm Wachter, head of streetwear and modern collections for Sotheby’s, said, “Today’s record-breaking results further prove that demand for Michael Jordan sports memorabilia continues to outperform and exceed all expectations.” The “Bred” even broke Jordan’s own record of US$1.5 million for his Nike Air Ships in 2021. And last year, one of his jerseys sold for US$10.1 million, taking home the crown as the highest-paid memorabilia for games. .

“We have clients in all different areas, from real estate to finance to private equity. Many people are interested in this growing market,” added Wachter. Apart from sportswear, there is also a continuing interest in items from different eras such as classic cars and watches. Often, these antiques have historical significance that proves to be more valuable than their monetary value.

Jordan, a well-known athlete, continues to be one of the richest sports players in the world and reportedly made millions from his partnership with Nike through the Air Jordan brand which started in 1984.

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