Michael Jordan’s game worn and dual signed Converse shoes from the 1984 U.S. Olympic team’s gold-medal-winning-game against Spain sold for $190,373 early Sunday morning, shattering the previous auction record of $104,765 for game-worn shoes.
The prior mark was set in 2013 for a pair of Nike Air Jordan XII shoes Jordan wore in Game 5 of the ‘97 NBA Finals.
The shoes were among the headline attractions in SCP Auctions’ catalog sale, which began late last month.
The Jordan sneakers are the last pair he ever wore in amateur competition and the last time he wore something other than Nike shoes while playing competitive basketball. Jordan gave the shoes to the son of Los Angeles Laker great Gail Goodrich, who oversaw game operations at The Forum for the entirety of the Olympic tournament. They were signed in the locker room after the gold medal game.
“Once again Michael Jordan has set a new standard in the basketball shoe market,” said Dan Imler, SCP Auctions’ vice president. “The record-shattering price achieved for his 1984 Olympic worn shoes proves that Michael Jordan has no equal in the marketplace for game-used basketball memorabilia.”
In addition to Jordan’s Olympic gamers, the online auction saw the record-breaking sale of a 1909-11 Honus Wagner T206 baseball card for $609,294. The PSA 1 example has been referred to as “The Original Wagner” based on the fact that it was the first of its kind to be featured in mainstream media(Newark Evening News) in 1930. The card was purchased by Georgia businessman J. Ross Greene for $48,500 in 1996 ($75,586 in today’s dollars). The $609,294 price is the most ever paid for a “Poor” condition Wagner and over $200,000 higher than the last PSA 1 Wagner that sold in May of 2013. It also bested a PSA 2 sold last month.
Sales of low-grade T206 Wagner cards:
- June 2017 $609,294 (PSA 1)
- May 2017 $600,000 (PSA 2)
- November 2016 $776,750 (PSA 2)
- May 2016 $444,000 (SGC 10)
- May 2013 $402,900 (PSA 1)
- May 2012 $651,750 (PSA 2)
- May 2010 $282,000 (PSA 1)
- May 2009 $399,500 (PSA 1)
Overall, the auction of 723 different lots brought in $3.75 million including the sale of 20 items from the personal memorabilia collection of late Pittsburgh Pirates’ slugger Willie 
Stargell. The pieces were all consigned by Stargell’s widow, Margaret Weller-Stargell, and were led by the Hall of Famer’s 1979 National League MVP Award ($103,567) and his ‘79 World Series ring as a member of the Pirates ($82,853).
Other top auction lots included a circa 1955 Heisman Trophy ($100,252); a 1933 Goudey Sport Kings framed uncut sheet of 24 cards ($82,853); and a 1979 Terry Bradshaw Pittsburgh Steelers game-worn helmet gifted to Stargell ($65,007).
All prices include a buyer’s premium. Full auction results are available at www.scpauctions.com.
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Notes: Mr. October’s Jackie Bat to Auction; Kiplinger on Sports Investing; Will Perdue’ MJ Shoes Story; eBay Needs Cards Manager
