In a remarkable event for basketball enthusiasts and collectors, a set of six sneakers worn by the legendary Michael Jordan during his NBA championship-clinching games is making its way to the auction block. After being privately held, these iconic pieces of sports history are now poised to be sold to the highest bidder in an upcoming auction organized by Sotheby’s. Scheduled to open on February 2nd, the auction features these sneakers as part of a larger collection and boasts an impressive pre-sale estimate of $7 million to $10 million.
The sneakers, known as The Dynasty Collection, were once the prized possession of a private collector who acquired them from Tim Hallam, the public relations director for the Chicago Bulls during the team's era of dominance in the 1990s. It became a tradition for Jordan to present Hallam with one of his game-worn shoes after each Finals victory, leading to the formation of this unique collection.
Displayed at the 2022 National Sports Collectors Convention in Atlantic City, the collection spans the Bulls' championship years from 1991 through 1998. Each of the sneakers in the collection has been personally autographed by Michael Jordan, the Finals MVP in each of those championship series.
The collection, aptly named by Sotheby’s as The Dynasty Collection, showcases 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 "x-strap" design, the “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 mirroring his Ferrari 550 Maranello.
Enhancing the allure of this lot is a set of unique signed photographs, capturing Jordan in the moments following each championship win, wearing only one sneaker – the other already in Hallam's possession. This humorous yet historic exchange between Jordan and Hallam highlights the personal nature of this collection.
Each sneaker in the collection stands 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 rigorously verified, involving detailed certification processes and extensive high-resolution photographic documentation by CSG and other experts.
This auction follows the historical sale of another pair of Jordan's sneakers from the 1998 Finals Game 2, which set a record by selling for $2.2 million, the highest price ever for game-worn shoes. The upcoming auction of The Dynasty Collection is more than a sports memorabilia event; it offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of basketball history, embodying the legacy of one of the greatest athletes in the sport, Michael Jordan.