I n a record-breaking year, Sotheby’s produced numerous groundbreaking sales in both the Sneakers and Sports Memorabilia categories.
Two standouts of the year came in the form of single-lot auctions featuring game-worn jerseys of unparalleled historical significance: In May, the department sold Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” jersey, followed by Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance” jersey in September. The sale of Maradona’s jersey for US $9.3 million set a record for the highest price ever achieved by a game-used sports item, only to be broken by Jordan’s, which sold for $10.1 million. With gold and silver titles, the jerseys hold present status as the two most valuable pieces of game-worn sports memorabilia.
Records were also broken in sneakers, including the most expensive Nike SB Dunk (about $120,000) and Nike Air Force 1 ($352,800), which was one of two hundred pairs sold in a $25.3 million auction.
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
As for the year ahead, Eric LiBassi, an associate specialist in the department, predicts that “luxury collaborations with sportswear brands will continue to rise to the top of the market.” The last twelve months were marked by significant collaborations, including the highly anticipated sale of two hundred pairs of Nike Air Force 1s designed by the late Virgil Abloh and released in collaboration with Louis Vuitton.
“In terms of silhouettes, I think that the Air Jordan 2s and Air Jordan 4s will continue to rise steadily and gain popularity,” LiBassi continues. “And game-worn sneakers will gain popularity and achieve some really high figures.”