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In the realm of sports and collectibles, Michael Jordan’s enduring legacy continues to reach new heights. The basketball icon, who retired from the NBA two decades ago, remains an influential figure, and recent events at Sotheby’s have solidified his position as a symbol of sports history.
Earlier this year, collectors and fans witnessed a historic moment in sneaker collecting as a pair of Air Jordan 13s, famously worn by Michael Jordan during his iconic “Last Dance” season, sold for a staggering $2.2 million at Sotheby’s, one of the world’s foremost brokers of fine and decorative art, jewelry, and collectibles.
According to Sotheby’s release, the sneakers had an estimated value of $2 million to $4 million. The sale was highly anticipated among collectors and enthusiasts and now holds the title for the most expensive sneakers ever sold.
This particular pair of sneakers carries immense historical significance, as it represents the last pair of Air Jordan XIII Breds (short for “black and red”) that Michael ever wore in an NBA game. They are truly one-of-a-kind.
The sneakers’ significance traces back to June 5, 1998, when basketball fans worldwide watched in awe as Michael Jordan donned them during Game 2 of the NBA Finals. This game was a pivotal contest for the Chicago Bulls, who had lost Game 1 to the Utah Jazz, and it was part of Jordan’s iconic “Last Dance” season.
What makes this pair even more special is the story behind them. After the game, Jordan gifted the sneakers with his signature emblazoned in large silver letters on each toe box to a ballboy who had helped him recover a lost jacket.
The sneakers have remained in impeccable condition since that fateful day.
Furthermore, this pair is unique in the sense that it is the only complete pair ever worn by Jordan in any of his six NBA Finals series.
The demand for Jordan memorabilia has been nothing short of extraordinary, propelling auction houses like Sotheby’s into the limelight with a new generation of clients.
In 2021, Sotheby’s auctioned a pair of Jordan’s Air Ships for $1.472 million.
Last year, they achieved a record-breaking sale of a game-worn jersey from Jordan’s final season, fetching $10.1 million, making it the most valuable game-worn sports memorabilia ever sold.
Beyond his iconic sneakers and jerseys, Jordan’s financial empire has also experienced a remarkable surge.
With a net worth that has soared to a staggering $3.5 billion, he recently solidified his position as the third-richest Black person in the United States.
This financial milestone followed the sale of his controlling stake in the Charlotte Hornets, a professional basketball team, for an astonishing $3 billion, marking the conclusion of Jordan’s decade-long involvement as the franchise’s principal decision-maker.
This transaction not only cements Jordan’s status as a sports legend but also places him ahead of entertainment moguls Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Oprah Winfrey, both of whom are worth $2.5 billion.
Jordan’s journey from a basketball icon to a billionaire businessman continues to captivate the world, underscoring his indelible mark on sports history and the business world.
