Michael Jordan. Frank Becerra Jr/The Journal News via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Game-worn Michael Jordan sneakers sell for $1.47M

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 10/25/21

A pair of game-worn sneakers from Michael Jordan's rookie season sold at auction over the weekend for $1.472 million, making them the most expensive game-worn shoes ever sold, ESPN reported Monday.

Jordan rocked the Nike Air Ships during his fifth-ever NBA game in 1984 when he posted 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists against the Denver Nuggets -- although it is possible they were worn before that. The shoes were maintained and now sold by former Nuggets ball boy TJ Lewis, ESPN said.

The sneakers were sold on Sunday to high-end card collector Nick Fiorella during Sotheby's Icons of Excellence & Haute Luxury auction in Las Vegas.

#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

This isn't the first time in recent history Fiorella has thrown down serious money for sports memorabilia. The well-known collector purchased a Luka Doncic card earlier this year for $4.6 million, making it the fourth-most expensive card sale of all time.

This also isn't the first time a pair of Jordan's game-worn kicks have set the record for biggest sale. The previous record was set by a pair of Air Jordan 1s the former Chicago Bull wore during a preseason exhibition game in 1985. Those shoes sold at a Christie's auction for $615,000 in August 2020, eclipsing a pair of Air Jordan 1s that were sold in a Sotheby's online auction earlier in the year.

NBA legend Michael Jordan's 1985 Nike sneakers, The Air Jordan 1s, have fetched a record $560,000 in Sotheby’s online auction https://t.co/yacOvzqR55 pic.twitter.com/9bceWMs0et
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 18, 2020