Michael Jordan memorabilia continues to be a gold standard among sports collectors. Just this week, a pair of sneakers that Jordan wore in the “Flu Game” were sold at an auction organized by Goldin for a whopping $1.38 million.
The “Flu Game” took place in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz. Despite battling flu, as it was believed at the time, Jordan put up 38 points, seven rebounds, and five assists while hitting a go-ahead three in the last minute of a 90-88 win for the Bulls.
After the game, Jordan gave his sneakers to Jazz ball boy Preston Truman and signed them. The moment of the handoff was captured on camera.
It was later revealed that Jordan didn’t have flu in the “Flu Game”, but actually suffered from symptoms of food poisoning. Still, that didn’t do much to diminish Jordan’s legend.
Truman initially sold the sneakers in 2013, when they went for $104,765 and became the world’s most expensive game-worn sneakers of all time. The new owner held onto the sneakers for 10 years before deciding to cash in on the massive demand for sports memorabilia, particularly one connected to Michael Jordan.
Despite being sold for $1.38 million, the Flu Game sneakers aren’t actually the most expensive Jordan-worn sneakers. That title belongs to Air Jordan XIII Breds, which Jordan wore in Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals. This pair was auctioned off for $2.238 million earlier this year.
