Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

MJ's 'Flu Game' sneakers auctioned for $1.38M

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Wednesday, 14 June 2023 22:10

On the 25th anniversary of Michael Jordan's iconic game-winning shot in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, the sneakers he wore one season earlier in the infamous "Flu Game" sold for more than $1 million.

Despite subsequent revelations from Jordan's trainer and "The Last Dance" documentary that he wasn't actually ailed by the flu in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals -- "The Food Poisoning Game" doesn't pack the same wallop -- the sneakers that Jordan wore that night have sold for $1.38 million (including buyer's premium) with collectibles marketplace Goldin. The shoes sold at auction on Wednesday.

Jordan had 38 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in more than 44 minutes that night to lead the Bulls past the Jazz in Utah. Then he gave his signed sneakers to Jazz ball boy Preston Truman, who'd curried favor with Jordan by bringing him applesauce before games. (Truman was photographed receiving the signed kicks from Jordan, but additional photo-matching was done by MeiGray and Sports Investors Authentication; there's also a letter of authenticity from Truman.) The Bulls went on to clinch the 1997 title in six games.

Truman held onto the shoes for 15 years before consigning them to Grey Flannel Auctions in 2013; when they sold for $104,765, it demolished the record for game-worn shoes across sports.

Ten years later, the same sneakers have appreciated by more than 1,200%, but still fell short of the all-time record for a pair of sneakers: That still belongs to the Air Jordan XIII Breds that Jordan wore in the second half of Game 2 of the 1998 "Last Dance" NBA Finals, which sold for $2.238 million with Sotheby's in April. Before that, the previous record paid for sneakers also belonged to Jordan-worn kicks: the Jordan Air Ships worn during his rookie season, which sold for $1.472 million also with Sotheby's in 2021.

But while Jordan's "Flu Game" sneakers might not be his priciest keepsake, they arguably might be his most notable. In a promotional video, Ken Goldin, the founder and executive chairman of Goldin, said, "'The Flu Game' shoes are the most important [game-used Jordan] shoes to hit the market -- period."

Read 174 times

Soccer

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-hal...

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Kylian Mbappé ended his goal drought with a thunderous strike and midfielder Jude Bellingham scored...

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to l...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams sustained season-ending te...

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Baseball

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

EmailPrintRico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major-league-best...

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated