Christie’s announced a partnership with Stadium Goods to offer a collection of rare sneakers game-worn by or made exclusively for basketball legend Michael Jordan at an online-only auction starting July 30.
The sale, titled “Original Air: A Sale of Michael Jordan Game-Worn and Player Exclusive Sneaker Rarities,” will feature a pair of pre-Jordan brand Nike Air Ship Jordans worn during his rookie season, with an estimate of between $350,000 and $550,000.
This auction follows a record, $560,000 sale of Nike Air Jordan 1S sneakers at Sotheby’s on May 17, coinciding with the final episode of ESPN’s documentary series “The Last Dance,” which spotlights the Chicago Bulls and Jordan’s basketball legacy.
John McPheters, co-founder and co-CEO, Stadium Goods, remarked in a statement, “Michael Jordan’s tremendous impact on basketball and sneakers is universally acknowledged, and it can be easy to think there aren’t any new stories to add to the legend. But as we’ve seen with ‘The Last Dance’ and now with our ‘Original Air’ auction with Christie’s, there are still lesser known narratives in the legacy that create great interest. The pieces we’ve put together for this auction are truly unique, and will have deep resonance for Jordan fans, sneaker connoisseurs and pop culture collectors alike. Additionally, we are pleased to be able to donate proceeds from one of the sale’s most exciting highlights to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.”
Aline Sylla-Walbaum, global managing Director of Luxury at Christie’s, added, “As the leading Luxury auction house, Christie’s is honored to partner with Stadium Goods, the world’s premier marketplace for sneakers and streetwear, for a series of sales beginning this July with ‘Original Air.’ This highly-curated sale marks Christie’s entry into a new collecting category that merges sports’ history, art, fashion, and contemporary lifestyle following the great success of our Hype sale in December 2019. In collaboration with Stadium Goods, we hand-selected an offering that represents the most iconic moments of Michael Jordan’s celebrated career and his enduring impact on sport and style. We sought to offer only the highest quality pieces in the same way we evaluate items for Christie’s Luxury sales – looking for quality, rarity, and uniqueness of design. Additionally, this sale has offered us the opportunity to partner with the Post-War & Contemporary Art and Photographs teams as we look to the world of sports as inspiration for mediums across art.”
Photo courtesy Christie’s
