Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan revolutionized the sneaker industry with the release of the Air Jordan line. In fact, his shoes continue to set new records.
A pair of game-worn, signed Nike Air Jordan 1s just went for $560,000 in an auction sponsored by Sotheby's.
Via Darren Rovell of The Action Network:
A signed pair of sneakers that Michael Jordan wore during his 1984-85 rookie season was sold by Sotheby’s on Sunday for $560,000, an all-time record for a pair of sneakers.
The sneakers, owned by famed shoe collector Jordy Geller, broke the record of a pair of moon shoes, an original prototype of Nike’s first shoes given to University of Oregon runners by Nike co-founder and Oregon coach Bill Bowerman. Those shoes, which were also sold by Geller, went for $437,500 last July at Sotheby’s.
It was not immediately known who purchased the shoes.
It hardly comes as a surprise these shoes would be so coveted.
The story behind Jordan's partnership with Nike — and the launch of Jordan's personal line — got plenty of attention during ESPN's Bulls docuseries, “The Last Dance.” Geller even admitted he decided to sell the shoes in part because of the timing of “The Last Dance.”
The documentary detailed how Jordan initially wanted to sign a contract with Adidas. However, Jordan's agent, David Falk, convinced the rookie to sign with Nike. The rest, as they say, is history.
Rovell also notes the shoes sold for “more than what Jordan made to wear Air Jordans in his first five years in the league ($500,000 per year).”
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