A pair of game-worn Air Jordan XIIIs, famously worn by basketball legend Michael Jordan during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals, have been sold at an auction for a staggering $2,238,000. This sale sets a new record for the highest price ever paid for a pair of sneakers, shattering the previous record of $615,000 set in 2020 for a pair of Nike Air Yeezy 1s worn by rapper Kanye West.
The Air Jordan XIIIs in question were designed by Tinker Hatfield, and made their debut in 1997. They feature a black and white colorway, with red accents, and were famously worn by Jordan during the pivotal Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals, in which he led the Chicago Bulls to victory over the Utah Jazz.
The shoes were sold by the sports memorabilia company, Goldin Auctions, as part of its “Elite Auction” series. The auction house had initially estimated that the sneakers would sell for around $1 million, but the final price surpassed all expectations.
The winning bidder of the Air Jordan XIIIs has chosen to remain anonymous, but the shoes are expected to be displayed in a museum or gallery, rather than being kept as part of a private collection.
The sale of these iconic sneakers is a testament to the enduring legacy of Michael Jordan, who remains one of the most beloved and influential figures in the world of sports and fashion. The Air Jordan line of sneakers, which began in 1985, has become a cultural phenomenon, with each new release generating intense excitement among sneaker enthusiasts and collectors.
Furthermore, the sale of these sneakers highlights the growing interest and demand for rare and unique sports memorabilia. In recent years, items such as game-worn jerseys, championship rings, and other sports memorabilia have commanded high prices at auction, with collectors willing to pay top dollar for a piece of sports history.
the sale of Michael Jordan’s game-worn Air Jordan XIIIs is a momentous occasion for sports and sneaker enthusiasts alike, as it represents a new benchmark in the world of sports memorabilia and highlights the enduring legacy of one of the greatest athletes of all time.