Michael Jordan‘s game-worn and dual-signed “Shattered Backboard” Air Jordan 1 sneakers will be up for auction later this month, Sotheby’s has revealed, and the auction house estimates they will fetch between $500,000 and $700,000.
Michael Jordan‘s “Shattered Backboard” Air Jordan 1 sneakers.
Jordan wore the storied sneakers during a Nike-sponsored exhibition game in August 1985, in which he played with Stefanel Trieste against Italian club Juve Caserta. The sneakers earned their moniker from an iconic moment when the star athlete made a one-handed dunk from just inside the foul line midway through the game, delivered with such force that the backboard shattered, the only time such a moment has been documented in his career.
The sneakers showcase the famous red, black and white “Chicago” colorway, as well as a silhouette that was unique for this era of Jordan’s career. It’s a high-cut iteration of the Air Jordan 1, notable since Jordan usually wore mid-cut player samples during his rookie season. What’s more, the left shoe still has a fragment of glass embedded in the outsole.
After the game, Jordan personally gifted the shoes to Gianni Bertolotti, who at the time played for Stefanel Trieste. Sports Investors Authentication and MeiGray conclusively photo-matched the pair to the game, including images of the precise moment when Jordan took the shoes off on the bench and gave them to Bertolotti. Jordan also signed the sneakers in black pen along the medial ankle.
Michael Jordan’s game-worn and dual-signed 1997 Eastern Conference Air Jordan XII sneakers.
The “Shattered Backboard” sneakers will be at the center of Sotheby’s Ascensions | Sneakers and Modern Collectibles sale in New York, which will be open for bidding Friday to Dec. 15. Another highlight of the sale is Michael Jordan’s game-worn and dual-signed 1997 Eastern Conference first-round game three series clinching Air Jordan XII sneakers, which are estimated to fetch between $150,000 and $200,000.
Representing a crucial moment in Jordan’s historic 1996-97 season, the sneakers were worn on April 30, 1997, when the Bulls defeated the Washington Bullets 96-95. In the series-clinching game, he led in scoring with 28 points and also made six assists, two rebounds and a block. The game was also the last time the Washington team used the name Bullets before the franchise switched to the Washington Wizards the next season.
Additionally, the sneakers come with a signed letter by Jordan, given straight to the consignor, which confirms that the pair was worn on the aforementioned date — an exceptional occurrence as letters of provenance directly from Jordan are quite rare. The shoes also come alongside a letter from James Spence Authentication confirming the authenticity of the signatures on both sneakers. Amid one of the most iconic eras of his career, Jordan depended on the XII model, showcasing it during multiple standout playoff performances, with the most widely recognized instance being the “Flu Game” in the NBA Finals.
From Friday to Dec. 12, the sneakers will be available to view at Sotheby’s new global headquarters at The Breuer building.
Below, view the moment when Jordan shattered the backboard.
