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Michael Jordan ‘Flu Game’ sneakers sell for $1.38 million at Goldin
The sneakers Michael Jordan wore during his infamous “Flu Game” in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals sold for $1.38 million in the Goldin 100 auction.
Despite being so sick he could barely stand prior to the game, Jordan scored 38 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Chicago Bulls to a win that led to the Bulls’ fifth NBA championship.
Jordan signed the Nike Air Jordan sneakers he was wearing that night and gave them to Utah Jazz ball boy Preston Truman after the game. Truman held onto the shoes for 15 years before selling them at auction in 2013 for $105,000.
“Michael Jordan was one of the most pivotal athletes of all time,” said Goldin founder and executive chairman Ken Goldin. “I believe that these are the most important and most valuable pair of sneakers that will ever be sold. The ‘Flu Game’ is so iconic that the term is now used to refer to when people tough it out and rise to the occasion under difficult circumstances.”
Another historic Jordan piece of memorabilia item also sold for big dollars when his 1996-97 alternate road uniform sold for $414,000.
Among other game-used memorabilia, a 2010 Kobe Bryant Lakers jersey from Game 1 of the 2010 NBA Finals sold for $462,000.
Other big sales in the auction included:
• A 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Championship Contenders rookie card (BGS 9) for $1.2 million.
• 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James Rookie Patch Auto card (BGS 9.5) for $912,000.
• 2004-05 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James-Kobe Bryant Dual NBA Logoman card (PSA 10) for $840,000.
• 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie card (PSA 9) for $792,000.
• 1954 Topps Hank Aaron rookie card (PSA 9) for $600,000.
• 1980-81 Topps Larry Bird/Magic Johnson/Julius Erving card (PSA 10) for $516,000.
• 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Mike Trout Red Refractor for $510,000.
