Just a couple of months ago, Michael Jordan’s collection of shoes was sold at auction for a record-breaking $8 million. Fascinating, right? Interestingly, the pairs were worn by the legend during six National Basketball Association championships. Not only that but each one of the sneakers was signed by the 61-year-old himself, making them priceless.
Once again, Jordan has earned a lucrative amount from the auction house. Back in 2003, Jordan organized a Youth Flight Camp where he not only enjoyed himself but also offered his illustrious signatures to fans. During this time, he also signed a copy of ESPN The Magazine. Nearly two decades later, this same magazine is making headlines.
But why? Notably, the signed copy was sold for $2,880 at an auction. To share this news with the public, Will Stern took to his official Twitter account and posted a couple of pictures of the magazine. Alongside the pictures, he wrote, “In 2003, Michael Jordan signed this copy of ESPN The Magazine at his Youth Flight Camp. It just sold at Heritage for $2,880.”
As anticipated, the tweet immediately captivated the audience within minutes of being posted. Though a signed magazine is a new item at auction houses, it is not the only thing garnering attention today.
Jordan’s iconic auction piece
Moving on, Jordan’s original pair of 1984 Air Jordan 1 Bred samples will be going up for auction. These sneakers were gifted to a basketball coach in the Greater Portland area in 1984. Since then, they have been meticulously preserved. They will be auctioned on Monday with a starting bid of $25,000.
What makes these sneakers so special? Besides the iconic branding, they feature a custom-ordered size true to Jordan’s specifications. The left sneaker is size 13, while the right is 13.5, a unique detail maintained throughout his illustrious NBA career. Additionally, the shoes have a visible part of the style code on each collar lining, making them one of a kind.
Furthermore, the shoe is steeped in a rich tapestry of lore with diverse tales. One of them is that these initiated a legendary courtship that brought MJ to Nike, shunning rivals Adidas and Converse. But these are not the only stories around. Another tale says that Custom Player Exclusives crafted the pair exclusively for MJ after his foot injury and the infamous “Jumpman” campaign featuring the Air Jordan 1 Black Toe. After hearing all this, it is no wonder why these sneakers are so important even after five decades.