2022 in Review: A Gold-Medal Year for Collectibles

2022 Highlights from Sneakers & Sports Memorabilia

• 

  Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 by Virgil Abloh Auction

  Beginning the year strong, in January 2022, Sotheby’s, in partnership with Louis Vuitton and Nike, exclusively released the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 by Virgil Abloh. With only 200 pairs in existence, more than 150 of the pairs sold for over $100,000; the most expensive and the only size 5 in existence, fetched over $350,000 USD. —Eric LiBassi, Associate Specialist, Streetwear & Modern Collectibles
• 

  Kobe Bryant’s Shooting Shirt

  This Los Angeles Lakers shooting shirt was worn by the legendary Kobe Bryant on the date of arguably his most memorable game, when he scored 81 points in a victory over the Toronto Raptors in 2006. It sold for $277,200 – an exceptional result for a shooting shirt. —Eric Hirsch, Specialist, Sports Memorabilia
• 

  Record-Breaking Nike SB Dunks

  In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Nike SB, the Nike skateboarding subdivision, Sotheby’s Hong Kong sneaker auction featured 100 pairs of the rarest and most sought-after Nike SB sneakers in its history to date. Breaking the record for the most expensive Nike SB ever sold, the Nike SB Dunk High Pro “FLOM” with Signed Box and Skateboard Deck fetched 945,000 HKD, or 245,000 over its estimate. —Eric LiBassi, Associate Specialist, Streetwear & Modern Collectibles
• 

  Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” Jersey

  Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal during the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter finals is widely considered the most famous goal in the history of European football. Sotheby’s had the privilege of offering the Argentina jersey worn by Maradona as he scored that iconic goal. The shirt, which came from the collection of former English national team member Stephen Hodge, ultimately sold for $9.3 million, setting the world record for any piece of game-used sports memorabilia at the time. —Eric Hirsch, Specialist, Sports Memorabilia
• 

  Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance” Jersey & Steve Prefontaine’s Nike Oregon Waffle Sneakers

  The two-part Invictus sale saw Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance” 1998 NBA Finals game 1 jersey and Steve Prefontaine’s personally owned and worn Nike Oregon waffle sneakers go to auction. These exceptionally rare and historical items come directly from the pinnacles of their iconic careers. Jordan’s “Last Dance” jersey sold for $10.1 million, the world-record price for any piece of game-used sports memorabilia. Prefontaine’s sneakers sold for an impressive $163,800. —Eric Hirsch, Specialist, Sports Memorabilia
• 

  BMW i4 M50 by Kith

  In October 2022, Sotheby’s partnered with Kith x BMW in its second primary market offering of the year. Available exclusively at Sotheby’s, the BMW i4 M50 by Kith was the only vehicle offered to a global audience. The lot also included apparel and accessories from the Kith for BMW Collection. Estimated at $100,000–200,000, the sale closed at $327,000. —Eric LiBassi, Associate Specialist, Streetwear & Modern Collectibles