These 14 Sneakers Broke Records (and Wallets) With Their Price Tags
Collectors have paid sums that sound unreal for sneakers tied to major sports moments or unique design experiments. In fact, performance gear on basketball courts has become a popular category of high-value memorabilia. Verified histories and rare availability drive prices higher each year.
The Dynasty Collection – $8 million
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Sotheby’s sold a group of eight shoes that Michael Jordan wore in separate playoff seasons, and the final price hit $8 million. After each Finals series, Jordan gave one shoe to a team official, and photographs were documented for each handoff. None of the shoes had a matching partner, which only increased their rarity.
Flu Game Air Jordan 12 – $1.38 million
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The black‑and‑red Air Jordan 12s carry a direct link to one of the most talked‑about games in NBA history. In the 1997 Finals, Michael Jordan played through severe illness and still delivered a standout performance that helped secure a critical victory. Documented ownership records kept their story intact, and when they finally reached auction, these shoes achieved a price of $1.38 million.
The Last Dance Air Jordan 13 – $2.2 million
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This pair appeared on court in 1998 during Jordan’s final NBA Finals series. Their sale reached $2.2 million after interest in The Last Dance documentary renewed public fascination. In their current condition, the pair shows creases on the leather and faint markings on the outsole.
Glass Shard Air Jordan 1 – $615,000
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During a 1985 exhibition in Italy, Jordan’s dunk shattered the backboard, and glass lodged in one shoe. That sneaker commanded a price of $615,000 after extensive authentication confirmed its origin. Collectors value it for the physical evidence embedded in the sole. The shoe remains unrestored, with visible scuffs, and the glass piece is still intact.
Solid Gold Air Jordan 10 – $2 million
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Artist Matt Senna created a pair of Air Jordan 10s entirely out of 24‑karat gold, with each shoe weighing close to 100 pounds. Drake commissioned the work, and the finished piece later secured $2 million.
Nike Air Yeezy Samples – $1.8 million
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Kanye West wore these prototypes onstage at the 2008 Grammys. The sneakers have unique stitching and early design elements not seen in production models. RARES, an investment platform, bought them for $1.8 million and divided shares among investors.
Nike Air Ship – $1.47 million
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Even before the Air Jordan line existed, the Nike Air Ship featured a high‑top frame, clean leather panels, and early Swoosh branding that showed Nike experimenting with design. The pair in question displayed scuffs and wear from actual court use, which gave it a visible history. When Sotheby’s offered it, collectors pushed the price to $1.47 million to highlight its place at the very beginning of his signature legacy.
Achilles Game Nike Kobe 8 – $600,000
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It was a headline auction at Sotheby’s in 2025 that featured Kobe Bryant’s game‑worn Nike Kobe 8s, supported by video evidence and detailed issued records. These sneakers were on his feet during the 2013 game in which he tore his Achilles tendon but still scored two free throws before leaving. Bidding escalated quickly, and the pair was ultimately bought for $600,000.
Game-Worn Air Jordan 1 – $560,000
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We all remember the excitement around Michael Jordan’s first season, when no one knew how influential his signature line would become. This particular pair, in red, white, and black, still carries his autograph on the side. The listing pushed the price to $560,000, and today, they sit with a collector focused on early basketball history.
Nike Moon Shoe – $437,500
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Nike’s early success started with a handmade experiment called the Moon Shoe. In 1972, co‑founder Bill Bowerman used a waffle iron to create a sole unlike anything on the market. Only a few pairs were given to athletes at the Olympic Trials because of which the current sale price $437,500.
Broken Foot Air Jordan 1 – $422,130
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In 1985, Jordan fractured a bone in his foot, and the shoes from that game sold decades later for $422,130. The left shoe is size 13, the right size 13.5, and it shows how players sometimes wore mismatched sizes. The consignor provided letters proving Jordan personally gifted them.
Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 – $352,800
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A collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Nike reshaped the way collectors view sneakers, with one size 5 pair selling for $352,800. Virgil Abloh’s design featured monogrammed leather panels and careful hand‑finished detailing that set it apart from standard releases. Sotheby’s oversaw the sale, and proceeds supported Abloh’s scholarship fund.
Nike Air Mag – $200,000
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Nike released the Air Mag with power laces in 2016, inspired by the shoes in Back to the Future Part II. Only 88 pairs exist, and one sold for $200,000 to support Parkinson’s research. To this day, they remain highly sought after for bridging a movie concept with real technology.
30,000 Point Game Nike Kobe 7 – $200,000
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One of the reasons why these Nike Kobe 7s remain so popular is their direct connection to a milestone few players ever reach. Kobe Bryant wore them in December 2012 when he passed 30,000 career points, and both shoes carry his signature and personal notes. They were bought off in 2025 for $200,000, accompanied by a ticket stub.
MJ’s Secret Stuff Air Jordan 11 – $176,000
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While these sneakers never saw court action, they connect directly to a major cultural crossover. They were created as samples for the film Space Jam and signed by Michael Jordan. This is why a documented private sale placed their value at $176,000.