Record! Michael Jordan Sneakers Auction, Selling Rp21 Billion

Michael Jordan sneakers sell for highs at auction (Twitter @Sothebys)

JAKARTA - A pair of sneakers worn by NBA superstar Michael Jordan at the start of his career sold for nearly $1.5 million, a record auction for shoes worn in a game, according to auction company Sotheby's.

The red-and-white boots were worn by the iconic player during the fifth game of his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, and the Jordan-affiliated Nike brand quickly became popular on and off the pitch.

"The most valuable sneaker ever offered at auction - the Nike Air Ships that Michael Jordan wore in the regular season from 1984 - just sold for $1,472,000 in our luxury sale in Las Vegas," the auction house said in a statement. Twitter, Monday, quoted by Antara.

#AuctionUpdate The most valuable sneakers ever offered at auction—Michael Jordan's regular season game-worn Nike Air Ships from 1984—have just sold at $1,472,000 in our luxury sale in Las Vegas. #SothebysxMGM pic.twitter.com/OlxvZ1ETML

— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) October 24, 2021

The price, quoted from AFP, easily beats the record held by a pair of Nike Air Jordans which sold for $615,000 in August 2020 at Christie's auction house.

A pair of Nike Air Yeezy 1 shoes worn by rapper Kanye West sold for $1.8 million in April, triple the previous record for sneakers - but that's a private sale.

The market for rare sports shoes is soaring. The sneaker price record has been broken several times recently as what was seen as a niche market a decade ago is now attracting the interest of the general public as well as leading collectors.

The autographed shoes on sale Sunday are the first shoes before Air Jordans, a classic line of sneakers that has quickly gone from basketball gear to a piece of the world's most sought-after streetware fashion.

Air Ship which became the forerunner of Air Jordan was designed by Peter Moore. Jordan used the Air Ship model in 1984 and 1985, and a modified version in 1986.