The rise and rise of luxury sneakers

A pair of Michael Jordan’s 1998 shoes sold for £1.8 million. How did fancy trainers become the powerhouse they are today.

Words: Harry Shukman

That old pair of stinky sneakers at the back of your shoe cupboard — how much would you hope to sell them for? A fiver? Two quid? How about £1.8 million? That was what Michael Jordan’s old Air Jordan 13s fetched at Sotheby’s last month, setting a record price for game-worn sports footwear. These were the shoes Jordan wore during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA finals, the tournament that saw the basketball star win his sixth and final championship title. Sotheby’s have not specified if they have ever been washed.

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