If ESPN’s “The Last Dance” solidified anything, it’s that Michael Jordan is truly one-of-a-kind. Today, Stadium Goods and Christie’s have announced “Original Air”, a landmark online auction that includes 11 game-worn and Player-Exclusive (PE) sneakers as unique as the man behind them.
“Original Air” offers some of the rarest footwear moments of Jordan’s 15 years with the Chicago Bulls, from the pre-Jordan Brand Nike Air Ship of his rookie season to the Air Jordan 14 worn during practice before the 1998 NBA Finals. Other sneaker memorabilia curated for this sale by Stadium Goods and Christie’s includes the Air Jordan 7 worn by MJ for his “Dream Team” appearance at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics; original Air Jordan 1 Shattered Backboard; and Air Jordan 10 sample cleat. All 11 pairs have a combined estimate value of between $1,252,500 and $1,740,000 USD.
“The pieces we’ve put together for this auction are truly unique,” said John McPheters, Co-Founder and CEO, Stadium Goods. “[They] will have deep resonance for Jordan fans, sneaker connoisseurs and pop culture collectors alike.”
Browsing for the “Original Air” auction begins on July 23rd at Christies.com/OriginalAir. Online-bidding for the entire 11-lot collection runs from July 30th to August 13th, with a portion of the proceeds from one of its top lots being donated to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Additionally, an exhibition will be open to the public (by appointment) at Christie’s New York gallery for the duration of the auction.
For Jordans you can buy at retail price, check out our Jordan Release Dates page.
UPDATE (08/14/2020):
The Stadium Goods x Christie’s “Original Air” auction closed after achieving 82% of its items sold. All but two lots were unable to find a buyer, but the online-only sale raked in a total of $931,875 USD. Arguably unsurprising, the auction’s top lot was the original Air Jordan 1 High “Shattered Backboard”, which fetched an $615,000 USD – unprecedented for sneakers at auction.
UPDATE (07/23/2020):
Images and information for all 11 lots of the “Original Air” auction have been added.
Stadium Goods x Christie’s “Original Air”
Browsing Dates: July 23rd – August 13th 2020
Bidding Dates: July 30th – August 13th, 2020
Nike Air Ship (1984)
Estimate: $350,000 – $550,000
Air Jordan 1 Tong Yang Player Sample (1985)
Estimate: $55,000 – $70,000
Air Jordan 1 High “Shattered Backboard” (1985)
Estimate: $650,000 – $850,000
Air Jordan 4 “Fire Red” (1989)
Estimate: $25,000 – $30,000
Air Jordan 5 “Fire Red” (1990)
Estimate: $6,500 – $8,000
Air Jordan 7 “Olympic” (1992)
Estimate: $50,000 – $70,000
Air Jordan 10 Sample Cleat (1995)
Estimate: $7,500 – $9,000
Air Jordan 10 “Shadow” (1995)
Estimate: $35,000 – $50,000
Air Jordan 11 “Concord” (1996)
Estimate: $50,000 – $65,000
Air Jordan 11 “Bred” (1996)
Estimate: $17,500 – $30,000
Air Jordan 14 “Chicago” (1998)
Estimate: $6,000 – $8,000