Michael Jordan's "Last Dance" Sneakers Sold For $2.2 Million
A recent auction made headlines when a pair of Air Jordans worn by Michael Jordan during his final championship run with the Chicago Bulls sold for $2.2 million, setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a pair of sneakers. The Air Jordan 13s, also known as the Bred Air Jordans because of their black and red color scheme, were released in May 1998, right in the thick of Jordan's postseason run with the Bulls. Sotheby's, the auction house responsible for the sale, notes that the sneakers were among the final public releases of the Air Jordan brand during Jordan's time with the Bulls. The game in which Jordan wore these sneakers was Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. After losing the first game of the series, Jordan wore the shoes in the second half of Game 2 and helped the Bulls beat the Jazz at the Delta Center by scoring 37 points. This victory was instrumental in securing the Bulls' sixth championship soon after, marking the end of Jordan's incredible career with the Bulls. The sneakers themselves have a fascinating story behind them. Following the game, Jordan gave the sneakers to a ball boy who maintained the visitors' locker room and signed them as a thank you for his services. This ball boy eventually sold the sneakers to a private collector, who then sold them at auction for the record-breaking price of $2.2 million. The significance of these sneakers extends beyond just their monetary value. They represent a key moment in Michael Jordan's legendary career, as well as a unique piece of basketball history. This final championship run with the Bulls is often referred to as the "Last Dance," a term that also happens to be the name of an ESPN documentary chronicling that time period of Jordan's career. The fact that these sneakers were worn during such a pivotal moment in Jordan's career only adds to their historical significance.