One knock-on effect of the hype surrounding “The Last Dance” documentary appears to be a boon in Michael Jordan memorabilia, with one pair of the former Chicago Bulls star’s sneakers expected to fetch over $500,000 at auction.
The online “Original Air” auction of 11 items—browsing opens on July 23 and bidding takes place between July 30 and August 13—is being organized by Christie’s and sneaker consignment store Stadium Goods.
Christie’s has described the auction as “the most comprehensive sneaker record of Michael Jordan’s era-defining Chicago Bulls career.”
Bull Market in Michael Jordan Sneakers
In episode five of the blockbuster 10-part documentary series, “The Last Dance” we see Jordan nearly turn down Nike as his sponsor, potentially missing out on a billion-dollar opportunity.
The conception of the Air Jordan line of sneakers is also documented, and in what the basketball star thought would be his final ever appearance at Madison Square Garden, Jordan laces up a pair of his first signature sneakers: the Air Jordan 1 “Chicago,” a shoe that was 13 years old at that point in 1998.
It’s a trainer that has been coveted by sneakerheads ever since the ex-Chicago Bulls star wore them in his rookie year—and it’s only been re-released a handful of times, most recently in 2015.
And while prices on the resale market for this sneaker have always been buoyant, they have shot up since first episode of “The Last Dance” aired.
The CNN Wire contributed to this report