10 Pairs of Nike’s Most Expensive Jordans
Written by
Caitlyn Moorhead
Edited by
Melanie Grafil
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He’s considered the greatest NBA player of all time, but Michael Jordan is also a savvy businessman with a massive shoe empire.
The basketball legend entered a partnership with Nike at the beginning of his career, which turned him into a billionaire. Many years later in retirement, he still has an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion in small part thanks to some Air Jordan sneakers.
In 1984, Jordan debuted the sneakers that would eventually grow to become a multi-billion-dollar brand. First marketed by Nike as the “Air Jordan 1” in 1985, the brand has now evolved into an empire nearly four decades old.
Interestingly, Jordan wasn’t actually interested in a partnership with Nike at first, according to the Los Angeles Times. He only took the initial meeting at the urging of his mother and ended up with an incredible 25% royalty on the brand.
Wondering what are the most expensive Air Jordans? Here’s a look at the ten pairs that top the list of Jordan shoes and coveted sneakers.
2005 Nike Air Jordan IV Retro Eminem ‘Encore’ With Marshall Mathers Signed Card
- Estimated value: $28,000 to $35,000
Rapper Eminem joined forces with Nike in 2005 to create a special blue, red and black version of the Air Jordan IV, in honor of his “Encore” album. The original release was rumored to contain only 50 pairs, which were given to friends and family, according to Sotheby’s, which sold this pair at auction in 2021.
1995 Air Jordan 11 “Concord” Player Exclusive, Game-Worn Signed Sneakers
- Estimated value: $50,000 to $65,000
These size 13 mid-top sneakers were sold with the original laces, Upper Deck Authentication on the signatures and a Chicago Bulls Letter of Authenticity. They were auctioned by Christie’s in 2020.
1985 Air Jordan 1 TYPS Player Exclusive Signed Sneaker
- Estimated value: $55,000 to $70,000
Sold by Christie’s in 2020, these high-top, black and red Air Jordan sneakers are unworn. The original laces were intact, and they came with a JSA letter of authenticity. In standard Jordan style, the left shoe is a size 13 and the right shoe is a size 13.5.
1997 Air Jordan 12 ‘Flu Game’
- Estimated value: $104,765
No true Jordan fan could forget Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, where he scored 38 points for the Chicago Bulls, despite displaying flu-like symptoms. In 2013, this pair of sneakers broke the previous record for game-worn, Michael Jordan sneakers, which was $31,070, according to Sole Collector.
1992 Air Jordan 7 Olympic Player Exclusive, Game-Worn Sneaker
- Estimated value: $100,000 to $300,000
A fan’s delight, this pair of shoes was sold with a letter of authenticity from Jordan himself. Michael Jordan wore these Air Jordan VII sneakers in Barcelona while he was part of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team.
Auctioned by Christie’s in 2020, the unknown buyer also received a Team USA t-shirt designed by Magic Johnson Tees, which was gifted by Johnson at the same time Jordan gifted the shoes.
Michael Jordan Signed ‘Player Sample’ Deadstock Air Jordan 11 ‘Space Jam’
- Estimated value: $150,000 to $200,000
Sold at auction in 2021, these “Player Sample” Jordans were sold in deadstock condition and never used. They were signed by the basketball great and offered for sale in a custom wood and velvet box, according to Sotheby’s.
1984 Michael Jordan Olympic Converses
- Estimated value: $190,373
Before his partnership with Nike began, Jordan wore a pair of Converse sneakers at the 1984 Olympics. Sold at auction in 2017, they’re considered the last pair he wore in a game as an amateur and the last time he wore Converse in an official game. The shoes are autographed and came with his orthotic inserts intact.
1985 Nike Air Jordan 1 ‘Chicago’ Sneakers
- Estimated value: $200,000 to $300,000
Worn in a game and autographed by Jordan, these sneakers sold for more than three times their original estimate in 2020. The pair of red-and-white shoes consists of a classic Jordan 13 and 13.5 mismatch. These shoes are also unique, as they’re signed with a black permanent marker, giving it an elephant print, which held up better than his standard ballpoint pen signature.
1985 Nike Air Jordan 1s High Sneakers
- Estimated value: $615,000
What is the most expensive pair of Jordan 1s? In 2020, this pair of Nikes became the priciest sneakers ever sold at auction — at least for a while. Worn by the basketball legend during an exhibition game played in Trieste, Italy, Jordan scored 30 points, but the most memorable part was his slam dunk that shattered the glass of the backboard, according to Christie’s.
1984 Nike Air Ships
- Estimated value: $1 million to $1.5 million
Worn during Jordan’s rookie season in his fifth game with the Chicago Bulls, collector Nick Fiorella scored these sneakers for $1.47 million at an October 2021 Sotheby’s auction. The size 13 red and white Nike Air Ships are the earliest known regular season pair of Nikes worn by the basketball great, according to Sotheby’s.
Final Take To GO
The bottom line is that to most people, it probably seems absolutely wild that the most expensive Jordans ever sold cost significantly more than the average American’s house — several times over. However, sneaker collectors likely understand the value of the Jordan brand and subsequently, the basketball icon’s most expensive shoes. Odds are, many would probably pay at least the same amount, if they had the funds to do so.
The fact that these shoes were worn by Jordan, whether it was in the 1998 NBA finals, the Olympics or just a regular game, and are some of the most expensive sneakers ever sold. Now, if you factor in the boosted value if the original Air Jordans are autographed by the man himself, it is a true testament to his status as the greatest NBA player of all time.
Jennifer Taylor contributed to the reporting for this article.
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