Michael Jordan’s Game-Worn Sneakers from 1996 NBA Finals Sell for $482,600 at Auction

zach bacharContributor IApril 12, 2024

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

Michal Jordan’s game-worn shoes from Game 5 of the 1996 NBA Finals were sold on Friday.

According to Darren Rovell, the pair of shoes were auctioned off by Sotheby’s and sold for $482,600.

Darren Rovell @darrenrovellJust Sold: Michael Jordan’s game-worn shoes from Game 5 of the 1996 NBA Finals.

Price paid at @Sothebys: $482,600 pic.twitter.com/M3r4aAxTPw

Jordan’s game-worn shoes from the finals have always carried a hefty price tag and have become iconic pieces of sports memorabilia. The Nike Air Ship shoes that he wore in his fifth career NBA game sold for $624,000 in Sep. 2023, while the Jordan XII shoes that the five-time MVP used during Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals sold for $1.38 million at auction in June 2023.

During a Feb. auction, one of Jordan’s shoes from the deciding game of all six NBA Finals victories were packaged together and sold for a whopping $8 million.

While the shoes sold on Friday are relatively less expensive, Game 5 of the 1996 finals wasn’t as iconic. In fact, the Chicago Bulls suffered at defeat at the hands of the Seattle Supersonics by the score of 89-78. Jordan finished with 26 points and four rebounds, shooting 50 percent from the field although he missed all four of his three-point attempts.

The Bulls eventually took Game 6 at home to clinch a championship, giving Jordan his fourth ring. Chicago would earn finals victories in each of the next two seasons, wrapping up one of the NBA’s greatest dynasties.