SCP Auctions will offer one of the most significant artifacts from Michael Jordan’s legendary playing career later this month: the Converse shoes he wore in the 1984 Olympic Basketball Gold Medal Game—the last pair of sneakers Jordan donned in competition as an amateur.
A 21-year-old, baby-faced Jordan led Team USA in scoring at 17.1 points per game during the ’84 Games. In their 96-65 victory over Spain at The Forum in Inglewood on August 10, 1984, Jordan scored a game-high 20 points while sporting the classic Converse sneakers that are expected to sell for at least $50,000.
Jordan would soon sign what became one of the most historic marketing deals in sports with Nike and the pair he donned in the ’84 Games would be his last pair without “The Swoosh”.
The shoes were originally given to an 11-year-old ball boy, who was no stranger to working at the Forum. That youngster was the son of Los Angeles Lakers great Gail Goodrich, who oversaw game operations at The Forum for the entirety of the Olympic tournament. A detailed letter of provenance from Goodrich’s son offers details about how he obtained the shoes directly from Jordan and got them signed right after the game.
The white and navy blue trimmed shoes are a canvas and leather mid-top design. The navy blue Converse star logo appears on both sides and again on the upper heels. The size 13 and manufacturer codes are stamped on the interior. The original white laces are present and they even include MJ’s navy blue orthotic inserts. Game use is evident throughout, according to the auction company “with proper heel drag, leather creasing and light scuffing.”
Jordan has signed both sneakers—the right shoe on the inner ankle, the left shoe on the outer ankle—in 6-7/10 black marker in his early, pre-NBA autograph form.
Another pair of 1984 Jordan Olympic shoes was offered by Grey Flannel Auctions in 2015 and originally touted as being from the final. However, it was eventually learned those shoes were a different pair worn by Jordan earlier in the tournament and procured by another ball boy. It has been verified that Jordan wore only two pairs during the 1984 Olympic tournament. The pair offered by SCP is the only pair MJ wore in the gold medal final.
The 1984 United States men’s basketball team was the last amateur team to win an Olympic gold medal.
The auction begins May 24 and closes June 10 at SCPAuctions.com.
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