In an incredible event for basketball enthusiasts and collectors alike, a set of six sneakers worn by the legendary Michael Jordan during his NBA championship-winning games is now up for auction. These iconic pieces of sports history, privately held until now, are set to be sold to the highest bidder at an upcoming auction organized by Sotheby’s. The auction, scheduled to open on February 2nd, features the sneakers as part of a larger collection and boasts an impressive pre-sale estimate of $7 million to $10 million.
Dubbed The Dynasty Collection, these sneakers were once the prized possession of a private collector who acquired them from Tim Hallam, the public relations director for the Chicago Bulls during their dominant era in the 1990s. A tradition between Jordan and Hallam led to the formation of this unique collection, as Jordan would present Hallam with one of his game-worn shoes after each Finals victory.
Spanning the Bulls’ championship years from 1991 through 1998, The Dynasty Collection was showcased at the 2022 National Sports Collectors Convention in Atlantic City. Each sneaker in the collection has been personally autographed by Michael Jordan, the Finals MVP in each of those championship series.
The collection, curated by Sotheby’s, features various models of Air Jordans that Jordan wore during his illustrious career. It includes the Air Jordan VI (1991), inspired by Jordan’s Porsche 911, the groundbreaking Air Jordan VII (1992) – the first model without Nike branding, the Air Jordan VIII (1993) featuring the iconic “x-strap” design, the renowned “Bred” Air Jordan XI (1996) known for its translucent sole, the Nike Zoom Air-equipped Air Jordan XII (1997), and the “Last Shot” Air Jordan XIV (1998), an early prototype resembling his Ferrari 550 Maranello.
Adding to the allure of this lot are unique signed photographs capturing Jordan right after each championship win, with one sneaker on his foot and the other already in Hallam’s possession. This light-hearted yet historic exchange between Jordan and Hallam showcases the personal nature of The Dynasty Collection.
Each sneaker in the collection serves as a testament to Jordan’s evolving style and the advancements in sneaker technology over the years. The authenticity and history of these sneakers have been meticulously verified, involving detailed certification processes and extensive high-resolution photographic documentation by CSG and other experts.
This auction follows the groundbreaking sale of another pair of Jordan’s sneakers from the 1998 Finals Game 2, which established a record by selling for $2.2 million – the highest price ever paid for game-worn shoes. The upcoming auction of The Dynasty Collection is more than just a sports memorabilia event; it presents a rare opportunity to own a piece of basketball history, encapsulating the legacy of one of the greatest athletes in the sport, Michael Jordan. So mark your calendars and get ready to bid for a chance to own a part of basketball history.