Michael Jordan's shoes from 1998 NBA finals sell for record $2.2 million

The shoes basketball legend Michael Jordan wore during the 1998 NBA Finals sold for a record $2.2 million on Tuesday. 

After the Sotheby’s auction, the black and red Nike Air Jordan 13 sneakers became the most valuable sneakers ever to be sold at an auction. They are the only complete pair of sneakers worn by Jordan in a final game to ever be authenticated.

However, the auction house said they were sold on the lower end of estimates, hoping to get between $2 million and $4 million for the legendary shoes. The sales are part of a two part auction being organized in New York. 

Jordan wore the size 13 sneakers during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA finals, known as “The Last Dance,” which was Jordan’s final year playing with the Chicago Bulls. During the game, he scored 37 points against the Utah Jazz, beating them 93-88.

After the game, the shoes were gifted to a Jazz ball boy who looked after the visitors’ locker room. The Bulls won the NBA finals that year, making it their sixth title of the decade. 

“Today’s record-breaking result further proves that the demand for Michael Jordan sports memorabilia continues to outperform and transcend all expectations,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of streetwear and modern collectibles.

The sale is only the latest Jordan memorabilia to go up for auction. Sotheby’s previously sold a pair of Michael Jordan’s Air Ships for $1.472 million in 2021 and a game-worn jersey Jordan wore on his final season for $10.1 million, becoming the most valuable game-worn sports memorabilia ever sold.