JAKARTA - NBA legend Michael Jordan's sneakers have broken the record highs at auction company Sotheby's for sports shoes used during matches.
The Michael Jordan shoes have been sold at a fantastic price, which is USD 2.2 million or approximately IDR 32.7 billion. The online sale strengthened Jordan's position as the highest-value athlete in the memorabilia auction of sportswear.
The head of streetwear and Sotheby's modern collection Brahm Wachter said, "The results of this record-breaking further prove that Michael Jordan's demand for sports memorabilia continues to outperform and surpass all records."
The shoes that were sold were Air Jordan's "Bred" 13. This shoe was worn by the legend during the 1998 NBA Final 2 Game towards his sixth and final NBA championship title.
Jordan wore the sneakers for the second half of Chicago-88's 93-88 win over the Utah Jazz on June 5, 1998. He scored the top 37 points in the game as his Bulls team drew 1-1.
The sales value broke its own record of $1.5 million for sneakers in September 2021.
Last year, one of its T-shirts sold for $10.1 million, the most expensive auction item for a collection of clothing worn in the match.
Another historic day at #SothebysNewYork! Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals Game 2 Air Jordan 13s from the famous ‘The Last Dance’ season sold for $2.2 million, setting a new world record for the most valuable sneakers ever sold. pic.twitter.com/myK5uWZVBE
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) April 11, 2023
Wachter said nostalgia for different eras was driving the popularity of Jordan's memorabilia.
"We have clients in various fields, ranging from real estate, finance, to private equity. There are many people who are interested in this growing market," Wachter said as quoted by AFP via Antara.
The price, which includes fees and commissions, is just above Sotheby's pre-sales forecast of $2 million but is well below the highest estimate of $4 million.
Sotheby's said Jordan had signed the shoes and handed them over to a ball collector after the game.
Sotheby's did not explain where to get the item. However, they said the shoes were obtained not from the original recipient.
The auction house also did not mention the name of the buyer of the 13-sized shoe.
The sneakers are known as "Bred" because of their black and red colors, the style Jordan has worn for most of his careers full of trophies.
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