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Michael Jordan's game-worn shoes from 1996 NBA Finals sell for $482,600

Brian Jones Profile Picby:Brian Jones•04/14/24•

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NBA: 1998 NBA Finals
June 5, 1998; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan in game two of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Anne Ryan-USA TODAY

Shoes that Michael Jordan wore during Game 5 of the 1996 NBA Finals were sold at a high price. According to Darren Rovell, the pair of sneakers were auctioned by Sotheby’s and sold for $482,600.

It’s normal for Jordan memorabilia to be sold for a lot of money. According to Bleacher Report, the Nike Air Ship shoes that were worn in Jordan’s fifth career NBA game sold for $624,000 in September 2023. Additionally, the Jordan XII shoes that the six-time champion wore during Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals sold for $1.38 million in June 2023.

In Game 5 of the 1996 NBA Finals, Jordan and the Chicago Bulldogs lost to the Seattle SuperSonics 89-78. Despite the loss, the NBA legend led all scorers with 26 points. The Bulls went on to win Game 6 of the NBA Finals and win their fourth NBA championship in six years.

What was significant about the Bulls winning the 1996 NBA Finals was that they won the title on Father’s Day. Jordan’s father was murdered in 1993, and the 1996 championship was his first without him.

“I can’t even put it into words, on Father’s Day, what this means to me,” Jordan said on the court after the win, per Yahoo Sports. “I know he’s watching. To my wife, to my kids, to my brothers and sisters, this is for Daddy. I’m very happy for him.”

Michael Jordan’s career after the 1996 NBA Finals

Jordan went on to win two more titles with the Bulls before taking time off from the NBA. He returned in 2001 and played for the Washington Wizards for two seasons before retiring in 2003. Along with the six titles, Jordan won six NBA Finals MVP awards, five NBA MVP awards and was selected to the All-Star team 14 times. He was also a scoring champion 10 times, led the NBA in steams three times and won the Slam Dunk Contest in 1987 and 1988.

In October, Forbes announced that Jordan is one of the 400 richest Americans as his net worth surpassed the $3 billion mark. This came after he sold his stake in the Charlotte Hornets over the summer.

During his playing career, Jordan made a little over $94 million. But with his endorsements, including his partnership with Nike, Jordan has arguably sold himself better than any athlete in history.