Historic Game-Used, Signed Sneakers from Michael Jordan's Rookie Season Up for Auction

Historic Game-Used, Signed Sneakers from Michael Jordan's Rookie Season Up for Auction

As the legendary Michael Jordan once said, "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." And now, you too can make it happen by owning a piece of basketball history: The Nike Air Ship sneakers worn by Jordan during his fifth NBA career game, currently standing at a bid of $100,000.

This is not just any pair of shoes. These are the very sneakers laced up by Jordan just five days after he signed his ground-breaking endorsement contract with Nike, back in November 1984. This was before the debut of the now-iconic Air Jordan 1, before the 21-year-old rookie had made his mark globally. Back when he was the Chicago Bulls' skinny third draft pick fresh out of UNC, still with a lot to prove and having played only one 30-point game.

The story behind these shoes is equally fascinating. Tj Lewis, a former Denver Nuggets ball boy, fondly recalls the night when he asked Jordan for his shoes after the game. Initially reluctant, Jordan surprisingly gifted Lewis the shoes post-game, signed and inscribed with "My Very Best To Tj Michael Jordan."

Fast forward to the present day, and these shoes - a tangible piece of sports history - are back on the market. Accompanying them are letters of authenticity (LOA) from MEARS, Resolution Photomatching, and JSA, validating the game use, possible photo match, and the authenticity of the autographs.

This pair of shoes offers more than just the intrigue of being worn by the basketball great. MEARS observes the seldom-seen early variation of "Nike" on the tongue and "Air" on the heel, and notes the shoes' interior production code ("13 BH-092884 - TY") from the Tong Yang factory as the earliest stamping they have examined.

Resolution Photomatching suggests a possible match of the shoes from Jordan's first-ever 30-point game, while JSA confirms the authenticity of the autographs - among the earliest examples of Jordan's regular-season signatures.

Whether you're a die-hard basketball fan, a sports memorabilia collector, or just a fan of the legendary Michael Jordan, this is a unique opportunity to own an extraordinary piece of basketball history. After all, these are not just any sneakers. They are a symbol of the birth of an era – the start of the Michael Jordan phenomenon.