The legend of Michael Jordan continues, as his game worn and autographed Air Jordan 13s, which he wore during the 1998 NBA Finals, sold for a record-breaking $2.2 million at an auction. These sneakers broke the previous record set by a pair of Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototypes, which were sold for $1.8 million at a private sale. This sale puts the shoes in the category of most expensive Jordan items ever sold, and his NBA Finals Game 1 jersey sold for $10.1 million in 2022.
Undoubtedly, the famed ‘Last Dance’ documentary that was largely watched on both ESPN and Netflix contributed to the increase in popularity of these sneakers and the items related to Michael Jordan. According to Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Streetwear and Modern Collectables, “Michael Jordan game-worn sports memorabilia has proven time-and-time again to be the most elite and coveted items on the market. However, items from his Last Dance season are of a greater scale and magnitude as seen with our record-breaking sale of his Game 1 jersey in 2022.”
Michael Jordan had scored a game-high 37 points in Game 2 of the NBA Finals while wearing the ‘Bred’ Air Jordan XIII sneakers in the second half of the victory. The Bulls went on to claim the Finals trophy, and Jordan picked up his sixth NBA Finals MVP award. These game-worn sneakers might have been just a part of his regular game attire back in the day, but today, they serve as invaluable collector’s items for sports enthusiasts and memorabilia collectors.
The value of these sneakers is not just limited to Michael Jordan’s legacy and his tremendous sporting achievements, but it is also a testament to the power of branding and storytelling. In retrospect, Jordan didn’t just revolutionize basketball shoes, he created an entirely new category of sports lifestyle and fashion that transcended the court and captivated the masses. Hence, the Air Jordan sneakers and Jordan brand continue to dominate the sneaker and streetwear markets worldwide as the original voice of haute couture sportswear.
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