Air Jordans net US$8m at auction

Six single Nike Air Jordans, worn by the eponymous basketball star in the 1990s, sold for a record US$8 million (HK$62.57 million), according to auction house Sotheby's.

Michael Jordan gave the separate shoes to Chicago Bulls communications executive Tim Hallam, after decisive games that helped the club win six NBA championships.

The purchase price achieved at auction house Sotheby's in New York is a record for such an unusual offering - and the second highest ever for MJ collectibles.

The prices reached for the "Dynasty Collection" "will likely never be replicated", Sotheby's boasted in a statement that did not disclose the buyer's identity.

The six shoes sold on Friday were an Air Jordan VI (1991), VII (1992), VIII (1993), XI (1996), XII (1997), and an Air Jordan XIV (1998).

Demand from collectors since 2020-2021 has driven up the prices at auction.

The record for the most expensive jersey in auction history is Michael Jordan's 1998 final shirt, which went for US$10.1 million in September 2022.