A pair of red and white Nike trainers worn by the US basketball legend Michael Jordan have sold for over £1 million at auction – the highest figure ever spent on sporting footwear.
Jordan, who is seen by many as the greatest player in the history of the sport, wore the Nike Air Ships during his first season with the Chicago Bulls in 1984.
The iconic pair were purchased by collector Nick Fiorella on Sunday night for £1,068,991, auction firm Sotheby’s said.
In a statement on Twitter, they wrote: “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.”
The size-13 trainers were still in good condition with some signs of court wear and tear, Sotheby’s said.
#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
They were given to Jordan on the same year that he began his iconic collaboration with the Nike brand, which gave him his own signature line of shoes and clothing.
The price eclipsed the previous record held by a pair of Nike Air Jordans which sold for £447,194 in August 2020 at a Christie’s auction.
Sotheby’s Brahm Wachter said: “This record-breaking result for the Jordan Nike Air Ships affirms the place of Michael Jordan and the Air Jordan franchise at the pinnacle of the sneaker market.”
However, they are not the most expensive trainers ever sold, as rapper Kanye West’s Nike Air Yeezy 1 Prototypes fetched £1,308,897 via a private sale in April.
