A pair of Nike Air Ships sneakers worn by Michael Jordan during his fifth NBA game with the Chicago Bulls has sold for $1.47 million at auction. This set a new world record for the most expensive sneakers ever sold at an auction!
The Nike Air Ships was designed by Bruce Kilgore, and it was the first basketball shoe worn by Jordan as an NBA pro in 1984. The shoe has been estimated to sell between $1m to $1.5m, but Nick Fiorella, a high-end card collector won the auction by getting it for $1.472 million.
“In 1984, Nike gave Michael Jordan his own signature line of shoes and clothes, which was pivotal in Michael agreeing to sign with Nike. It was the first time the brand did anything like this, and it paved the way for many of the player collaborations we now see. The term “Air Jordan” was coined by Michael Jordan’s agent David Falk. David apparently came up with the name because Nike shoes had air in the soles and because, of course, Michael Jordan played basketball in the air,” was mentioned in the catalog note for the sneakers.
Brahm Wachter, head of Sotheby’s streetwear and modern collectibles, said, “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.” The previous record for the game-worn footwear was also Michael Jordan’s shoe during a preseason exhibition in Italy where he shattered a backboard. However, the most expensive shoe ever sold was the Kanye wests’ Nike Air Yeezy sample which sold for $1.8m via a private sale in April.
