These are the Nike Air Jordan 1 Highs that the NBA star wore during a 1985 exhibition match in Italy when he dunked the ball so hard it smashed the glass backboard. They will go on sale at a Christie's auction and is expected to bring in US$2 million
Eleven pairs of Nike sneakers worn by NBA legend Michael Jordan are up for auction from Thursday, including a set that could smash the record for a sports shoe. The highlight of the online sale is the Air Jordan 1 High that the NBA megastar wore during a 1985 exhibition match in Italy when he dunked the ball so hard it smashed the glass backboard into thousands of pieces.
A piece of glass is still lodged in the sole of the left shoe.
(Related: The Highly-Anticipated Air Jordans by Dior)
"It was an iconic moment in the history of sport," said Caitlin Donovan, head of handbag and sneaker sales at Christie's—which is organising the auction with Stadium Goods.
The red, white and black sneakers, which are signed by Jordan, are estimated to sell for between US$650,000 and US$850,000.
If they match their lowest pre-sale estimate then they will break the all-time record price for a sports shoe, set by Sotheby's in May when it sold a pair of Air Jordan sneakers for US$560,000.