Occasionally, significant Air Jordan sneakers that are associated with monumental moments in Michael Jordan’s legendary career make their way to the auction block. The most recent example is the “Flu Game” Air Jordan 12, which just sold for an astonishing $1.3 million.
The original “Flu Game” Jordan 12, worn by MJ during a game and autographed by him, was put up for auction at Goldin Auctions last month, starting with a minimum bid of $500,000. When the bidding closed last night, the final price tag reached $1,380,000.
According to the story, MJ wore this black and red Air Jordan 12 colorway during Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz. Despite battling flu-like symptoms, he managed to score a game-high 38 points.
Jordan then gifted the sneakers to Preston Truman, a former ball boy for the Utah Jazz, who used to provide him with his favorite post-game snack. Truman held onto the sneakers for 15 years before selling them at auction for $104,765 in 2013.
In an episode of the Complex Sneakers Podcast, Goldin Auctions founder Ken Goldin showcased this “Flu Game” Air Jordan 12, describing it as the “most valuable” piece of sneaker memorabilia ever and predicting that it would sell for no less than $4 million.
