Christie’s marks new benchmark for sneakers at auction

The Christie’s and Stadium Goods partnered sale ‘OriginalAir: MichaelJordan Game-Worn and Player Exclusive Sneaker Rarities’ has set newrecords, with a pair of Nike’s worn by Jordan fetching 615,000 US dollars,making them the most expensive sneakers ever sold at auction.

The red, black and white Nike Air Jordan 1 high tops were sold as partof a wider online auction of Jordan's footwear, and were from an exhibitiongame in Italy where he shattered the backboard, leaving a piece of glass inthe left shoe’s sole, according to auction house Christie’s.

Overall, the Jordan memorabilia auction sold for 931,875 US dollars,with 82 percent sold by lot with all but two lots finding a buyer.

The sale witnessed high levels of global attention and 72 percent ofregistered bidders were new to Christie’s, explained the auction house.There was also “unprecedented” online engagement with over 90,000 uniquevisitors to related sale pages from 126 countries.

Other highlights in the auction sale included the very pair of AirJordan 7 ‘Olympic’ worn in the Dream Team’s gold medal game in 1992, whichsold for 112,500 US dollars, a pair of Air Jordan 1 TYPS, signed sneakersfrom 1985, that sold for 62,500 US dollars, and a pair of Air Jordan 4‘Fire Red,’ player exclusive, game-worn signed sneakers from 1989 thatrealised 27,500 US dollars.

Additionally, a portion of proceeds from a game-worn pair of Air Jordan11 ‘Concord’ from the legendary 1995-96 season that sold for 56,250 USdollars, is designated to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF).

Michael Jordan's game-worn sneakers set new record, selling for 615,000US dollars

Caitlin Donovan, head of sale, vice president of handbags andaccessories at Christie’s said in a statement: “We are delighted with theresults of Christie’s inaugural Sneaker sale and excited to see anunprecedented amount of engagement from around the world with onlinevisitors from over 120 countries. Additionally, the virtual eventsurrounding the sale was among the highest attended online eventsChristie’s has hosted since lockdown.

“As we embark on this new category, we are encouraged with the interestfrom not only new buyers but also from established Christie’s clients whopurchase across other sale categories. We look forward to our futurepartnered sales with Stadium Goods which will take place later this year.”

John McPheters, co-founder and co-chief executive of Stadium Goods,added: “We’re thrilled at the strong results for ’Original Air’ and toagain be part of a new height achieved for sneakers at auction. The newmark reached with the “Shattered Backboard” AirJordan1 is special forStadium Goods because that model occupies such a singular place in sneakerculture.

“This sale once again confirms that sneakers are cultural artefacts anddeserve to be listed alongside other luxury items in the collectablesmarketplace. We’re tremendously appreciative of Christie’s partnership on‘OriginalAir’ and honoured to share this achievement with them.”

Images: courtesy of Christie’s