Michael Jordan’s 1984 Nike Air Ships Sell For Record $1.5M

Author Alexis Zarycki

October 25th, 2021 1:35 PM

Charlotte hero and NBA star Michael Jordan did it again. This time, with an ultimate throwback.

A pair of Michael Jordan’s shoes from 1984 sold for nearly $1.5 million. This happened at Sotheby’s on Sunday which set a record for sneakers sold at auction. Yes, some old sneakers sold for more than the average person will ever make…in a lifetime.

The 1984 Nike Air Ships are Jordan’s earliest known regular season game-worn Nikes. These shows were the first pair of sneakers to ever crack the $1 million mark at an auction. How much did they officially sell for? The buyer purchased them for officially $1.472 million.

They were acquired by collector Nick Fiorella. The signed red and white sneakers are from Jordan’s fifth NBA game in his rookie season, according to NBC News.

Gallery: Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Hornets Through the Years

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• Milwaukee Bucks v Charlotte Hornets

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  CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 29: (L-R) Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Hornets, celebrates with Lance Stephenson #1 of the Charlotte Hornets after defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 108-106 in overtime at Time Warner Cable Arena on October 29, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

• Anthony Mason #14

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  13 May 1998: Anthony Mason #14 of the Charlotte Hornets laughs with Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls as they wait on the court at the United Center in Chicago, Illinios. The Bulls defeated the Hornets 93-84. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
• Nextel Open

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  CONCORD, NC - MAY 19: (L-R) Track President Humpy Wheeler, Charlotte Bobcats President Fred Whitfield, former NBA player Michael Jordan, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet, prior to the NASCAR Nextel Open on May 19, 2007 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Michael Jordan signs a pair of shoes for Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

• Hornets V Bulls

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  14 Nov 1997: Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls in action against guard Bobby Phills of the Charlotte Hornets during a game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game 105-92. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

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• Atlanta Hawks v Charlotte Hornets

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  CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 01: Owner of the Charlotte Hornets, Michael Jordan, watches on during their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 1, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

• Washington Wizards v Charlotte Hornets

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  CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 25: (L-R) Owner of the Charlotte Hornets, Michael Jordan, talks to player Al Jefferson #25 during their game against the Washington Wizards at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 25, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NBA - NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

• Washington Wizards v Charlotte Hornets

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  CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 25: (L-R) Owner of the Charlotte Hornets, Michael Jordan, talks to player Al Jefferson #25 during their game against the Washington Wizards at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 25, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NBA - NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
• NBA All-Star Game 2016

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  TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 14: Larry Tanenbaum presents NBA Hall of Famer and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan a jersey signifying Charlotte as the host city for the 2017 All-Star game during the NBA All-Star Game 2016 at the Air Canada Centre on February 14, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

• NBA All-Star Game 2016

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  TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 14: Larry Tanenbaum presents NBA Hall of Famer and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan a jersey signifying Charlotte as the host city for the 2017 All-Star game during the NBA All-Star Game 2016 at the Air Canada Centre on February 14, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

• NBA All-Star Game 2016

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  TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 14: Larry Tanenbaum presents NBA Hall of Famer and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan a jersey signifying Charlotte as the host city for the 2017 All-Star game during the NBA All-Star Game 2016 at the Air Canada Centre on February 14, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
• NCAA Men’s Final Four – National Championship – Villanova v North Carolina

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  HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 04: NBA hall of famer and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan reacts during the 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game between the Villanova Wildcats and the North Carolina Tar Heels at NRG Stadium on April 4, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

• NCAA Men’s Final Four – National Championship – Villanova v North Carolina

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  HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 04: NBA hall of famer and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan reacts during the 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game between the Villanova Wildcats and the North Carolina Tar Heels at NRG Stadium on April 4, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

• Dallas Mavericks v Charlotte Hornets

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  CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 13: Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Hornets reacts on the bench during their game against the Dallas Mavericks at Spectrum Center on October 13, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
• 2019 NBA All-Star Game

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  CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Hornets, takes part in a ceremony honoring the 2020 NBA All-Star game during a break in play as Team LeBron take on Team Giannis in the fourth quarter during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Team LeBron won 178-164. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

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Author Alexis Zarycki

Category:

• Basketball
• Country 103.7
• Local
• Sports

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Basketball,Charlotte Hornets,Local,Michael Jordan,North Carolina,Sports