Michael Jordan Shatters Sneaker Auction Record With 1984 Nike Air Ships

The shoes sold for just under $1.5 million

Michael Jordan
Chicago Bulls forward Michael Jordan dunks.
Focus on Sport via Getty Images

Over the course of his long and storied career in the NBA, Michael Jordan set plenty of records. And even now, long after his playing days have ended, Jordan continues to set records in a sports-related vein.

In the most recent case, the record has to do with a pair of shoes Jordan wore early in his career. Writing at Robb Report, Rachel Cormack has more details on the record-breaking sale. The shoes in question — Bruce Kilgore-designed Nike Air Ships — were worn in Jordan’s fifth NBA game, on November 1, 1984. When the auction had concluded, the Air Ships had sold for $1.472 million. That makes them the first sneakers to sell for over a million dollars — a feat that also establishes a new world record.

The listing for the auction offers more information on the shoes, as well as where they fit into the chronology of Air Jordans. These Air Ships were one of several pairs given to Jordan as Nike worked to get the Air Jordan 1 ready to go.

As Robb Report notes, the previous record for sneakers sold at auction also involves a pair of shoes originally worn by Jordan — in this case, Nike Air Jordan 1 Highs from 1985 that sold for $615,000 last year.

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