Michael Jordan’s ‘The Last Dance’ Air Jordan 13s Sell for World Record $2.2 Million
This story was first published on March 15, 2023.
Update April 12, 2022: This pair of Air Jordan 13s has just attained the new world record for the most valuable sneakers ever sold, netting $2.2 million at Sotheby’s auction.
‘Today’s record-breaking result further proves that the demand for Michael Jordan sports memorabilia continues to outperform and transcend all expectations. Sotheby’s is extremely proud to hold the world record for most valuable game-worn sports memorabilia at auction and the most valuable sneakers ever sold, both of which – to no surprise – are directly tied to the global icon, Michael Jordan,’ said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Streetwear and Modern Collectables.
The exact pair of worn by in game two of the 1998 NBA Finals is opening to bids at , which is expected to break the world record for sneakers sold at auction. With a forecasted value of $2–4 million, this will far exceed the that the auction house sold in 2021.
The provenance of these AJ13s has been confirmed by MeiGrey, the official authenticators for the NBA, who photomatched the shoes to game two of the 1998 NBA Finals, where MJ wore them before giving them to a ball boy. It’s the first time a complete pair of shoes worn by Jordan in a Finals series has been verified by MeiGrey. Understandably, not too many pairs have hit the market.
‘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. Worn in his final year with the Bulls, the iconic Air Jordans coming to auction this April will be sure to excite the collector community and sports fans in this most important Jordan Year,’ said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Streetwear and Modern Collectables.
Bidding opens for these AJ13s on April 3 and closes on April 11, as part of Sotheby’s ‘VICTORIAM’ collection.