Culled from (TheSoleSupplier)
We all know that as far as hobbies go, collecting sneakers is definitely up there when it comes to being pricey. Each week there seems to be a new drop, and if you aren’t always lucky enough to secure the W on the day, then you’ll be well aware of just how expensive shoes can be on the secondary market.
What goes without saying though, is that some sneaker silhouettes tend to be worth more than others, and when it comes to the most expensive sneaker brands, Jordan sneakers tend to take the top spot. With so much history and heritage behind the Jordan name, this isn’t exactly surprising, but if you’re trying to build a serious Jordan sneaker collection, it’s worth bearing this in mind.
Since the birth of Michael Jordan’s first Nike signature shoe, the Air Jordan 1, demand for the Jordan Brand has been through the roof. Sure, you can easily pick up some Jordan 1 Mids or lows for retail these days, but certain iconic colourways will set you back much, much more. More than just a basketball shoe, some Jordan models are regarded as cultural icons, and the history behind the pairs reflects the high price tag. Similarly, a high-heat collaborative pair of Air Jordans can also demand a hefty sum, especially if the release is super-limited.
However, if you’re interested in your Jordan history, or you’re thinking about getting into sneakers as an investment, then you might want to know about some of the rarest and most expensive Air Jordans ever. So, have your savings account at the ready, as we’re about to take you through them...
Air Jordan 2 OG "Chicago"
Price: $31,000
Although not everyone’s favourite Jordan, the AJ2 is actually steeped in history. Having originally made its debut in 1986 in a “Chicago” colourway, only three other original colourways were released the following year. Each pair was made in Italy, and rumour has it that the original AJ2 mould was destroyed after those pairs had gone into production, and later retros didn’t match up to the original shape of the sneaker. So, when an original pair of Air Jordan 2s found their way onto eBay, they ended up going for $31,000.
Air Jordan 3 x Spike Lee "Oscars"
Price: $47,880
The Air Jordan 3 silhouette is largely credited for keeping Michael Jordan at Nike after the departure of footwear designer Peter Moore, and saw Jordan and Tinker Hatfield collaborate closely in order to convince the star to stay. The resulting AJ3 was more modern and lightweight, and also featured a visible Air unit in the sole, but the key detail was really the addition of the Jumpman logo on the tongue. The model also saw the introduction of the famous “Spike and Mike” Jordan ads featuring Spike Lee, and sure enough, the Spike Lee AJ3 “Oscar” eventually made its in-foot debut at the Academy Awards in 2019. Few models were made, but one pair did sell at Sothebys, fetching a cool $47,880.
Air Jordan 5 x Eminem "Encore"
Price: $56,700
In case you weren’t already aware, rapper Eminem is actually a big fan of Jordan sneakers, and even has a couple of collaborative pairs under his belt. The “Encore” AJ5 was one of these, and on its original release saw only 50 pairs gifted to friends and family to celebrate the “Encore” album release.
In 2017, the model saw a Retro release that coincided with the launch of the “Revival” album, and although the Retro version remained largely similar, it used lighter shades of blue and grey on the upper than the original model. Nevertheless, a pair of the Retro “Encore” AJ5s still managed to fetch $56,700 at a Sotheby’s auction, so we’d love to know what an original pair would cost!
Air Jordan 1 "Solid Silver"
Originally given to Michael Jordan as a birthday gift from his wife, this solid sterling silver AJ1 ended up selling for $60,000 on eBay. Moulded on Jordan’s rookie silhouette, the model isn’t wearable, but the sports memorabilia industry is worth millions, and with only 10 of these in existence its still a serious collectors piece.
Air Jordan 10 "OVO"
Price: $100,000
The Air Jordan 10 OVO may sound expensive, but it’s not actually the most expensive Drake and Jordan collab to hit the market (more on that later). Black and white versions of the Air Jordan 10 OVO were apparently given to fans of the rapper at a Toronto Raptors game in 2014, and were then sold on eBay for $100,000 and $20,000 respectively. Whilst both colourways later hit the market for a much lower price tag, the particular pairs given away at the game warranted the cost due to them being friends & family samples.
Air Jordan 12 "Flu Game"
Price: $104,675
The 1997 NBA Finals were full of drama. Desperate to lead the Chicago Bulls to victory, Michael Jordan managed to play the game with what he thought was the flu, whilst wearing a pair of red and black Air Jordan 12s. After the game, the basketball legend gifted the shoes to one of the ball boys, who reportedly then kept them in a safe-deposit box for 15 years.
After turning down an initial offer for $11,000 the next season, the “Flu Game” Air Jordan 12s were eventually sold at auction for $104,675 - making them one of the most expensive pairs of game-worn sneakers going.
Air Jordan 1 "Shattered Backboard Factory Flaw"
Price: $146,000
Imagine ordering something for it to turn up flawed - you wouldn’t be happy, right? Well, when it comes to sneakers, factory flaws can be a very different game. As long as there’s nothing structurally wrong with the sneaker, a flaw can add a super-rare element to the design, which is exactly what happened when it came to this pair of “Shattered Backboard” Air Jordan 1s. Here, the black, white and orange sneaker arrived with an upside-down Swoosh, which just so happened to increase the shoe’s value dramatically. So, next time you order something that doesn’t look quite right, maybe check that you’re not sitting on a goldmine before you return it.
Air Jordan 11 "Space Jam"
Price: $176,400
Big Space Jam fan? If you happened to have $176,400 to spare when these hit Sotheby’s, you could have been the proud owner of a pair of Air Jordan 11 Space Jam player samples. The pair that went to auction were cut with the basketball legend in mind, but never used so remained deadstock and therefore, super-fresh. Produced in 1995, the style was created specifically for the movie, and are easily one of the most coveted, and therefore one of the most expensive pairs of Jordans ever.
Air Jordan 1 High "Shattered Backboard Origin Story"
Price: $615,000
Everyone’s looking forward to the “Chicago Reimagined” release, and it’s no wonder when the real deal is fetching this kind of price! This pair of Air Jordan 1s, in its famous “Chicago” colorway was worn by Jordan during his infamous ‘shattered backboard’ exhibition game, and ended up selling at a Christie’s auction for $615,000 - a record-breaking amount when it came to sneaker sales. Game-worn and signed, this pair is definitely special, but what’s even cooler is that a shard of glass from the shattered backboard remains in the sole of the left shoe, making them truly one of a kind.
Air Jordan 10 x OVO "Solid Gold"
Price: $2,100,000
We told you we had an expensive OVO Jordan on the way. Commissioned by the 6 God himself, Drake teamed up with Nike to produce these one-of-a-kind, solid gold Jordans. Weighing a hefty 50 pounds and crafted from solid 24 carat gold, even Jordan himself would have a hard time trying to dunk in these (not that you can actually wear them). The shoes set Drizzy back $2.1 million, making them technically the most expensive J’s ever.