Michael Jordan's Legacy: Legendary Shoes and Memorabilia Conquer the Auction Scene

Have you guys seen all the Michael Jordan gear popping up lately? It's insane! After ESPN's show "The Last Dance" reminded us how great Michael Jordan was, it's no wonder that memorabilia from his pro career is becoming more and more popular. Sure, the new Air Jordans are cool and all, but there's something special about owning a piece of history from the man himself. A jersey he wore in the game, or a pair of OG Nike Air sneakers - those are the real gems. People are running up a storm at auctions to get their hands on these pieces of MJ history.

Right now, another piece of MJ history is being auctioned off at Goldin. The auction house is currently auctioning off perhaps the most important shoe in Jordan's history - an Air Ship from his fifth NBA game! Before he was even really on the scene, he was wearing Nike's Air Ship, a high-top sneaker from the '80s. This game was against the Denver Nuggets, and although they lost, it looks like one lucky ball boy, T.J. Lewis, won the game.

Who would have thought that a simple wish for a pair of sneakers could lead to a big windfall? T.J. Lewis apparently did. He reportedly asked Michael Jordan for the Nike Air Ship sneakers he wore during the shoot. Jordan initially refused, but eventually relented and offered him the shoes after the game. Little did Lewis know that his persistence would pay off years later when he sold the shoes at Sotheby's in 2021 for an incredible $1.47 million - the highest sum ever paid for worn shoes. The shoes have been appraised by several experts and even bear Jordan's signature from his rookie season. The auction at Goldin runs through Sept. 13.