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Michael Jordan's Championship-Worn Sneakers Set for Auction: A Historic Collection

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A remarkable collection of six sneakers, each worn by basketball legend Michael Jordan in the clinching games of his six NBA championship victories, is poised to make a grand entrance into the auction world. After being privately held, these iconic shoes are now set to be offered to the highest bidder by Sotheby’s. The auction, opening on February 2nd, is part of a larger event and comes with a staggering pre-sale estimate of $7 million to $10 million.

This extraordinary set, owned by a private collector who acquired them from Tim Hallam, the Chicago Bulls' public relations director during the team's dominant run in the 1990s, holds a special place in sports history. Hallam, who was given a shoe by Jordan after each Finals clinching game, established a unique tradition with the basketball superstar, resulting in this one-of-a-kind collection.

The sneakers, which were displayed at the 2022 National Sports Collectors Convention in Atlantic City, span the years of the Bulls' titles from 1991 through 1998. Each shoe in the collection has been autographed by Michael Jordan, who was named the Finals MVP in all of those championship series.

Sotheby’s has fittingly named this assemblage The Dynasty Collection, which comprises an array of Air Jordan models that chronicle Jordan's journey and evolution in the game. The collection features the Air Jordan VI (1991), modeled after Jordan's Porsche 911, the Air Jordan VII (1992), the first to eschew Nike branding, the innovative "x-strap" Air Jordan VIII (1993), the iconic "Bred" Air Jordan XI (1996) with a translucent sole, the Air Jordan XII (1997), the first with Nike Zoom Air, and the “Last Shot” Air Jordan XIV (1998), an early prototype inspired by his Ferrari 550 Maranello.

Adding a personal touch to this lot is a set of signed 1/1 photographs depicting a triumphant Jordan celebrating each championship, wearing just one sneaker - the other already gifted to Hallam. This gesture became a running joke between Jordan and Hallam, with the latter expressing his preference for a game-worn shoe over championship rings as a more tangible part of the game's history.

Each sneaker in this collection stands out for its unique design and story, echoing Jordan's evolving style and the technological advancements of the time. The authenticity and provenance of the sneakers have been meticulously certified, involving thorough documentation and thousands of high-resolution images for complete 360-degree views by CSG and other third-party photo-matching experts.

This auction comes in the wake of a previous record-breaking sale where a pair of Jordan's sneakers worn in Game 2 of the 1998 Finals fetched an impressive $2.2 million, the highest amount ever paid for a pair of game-worn shoes. The upcoming auction of The Dynasty Collection not only represents a significant moment in sports memorabilia but also offers a tangible piece of basketball history, encapsulating the legacy of one of the sport's greatest icons, Michael Jordan.