Michael Jordan's trainers sell for record £1.1m at auction

Shoes do not come much more expensive. Credit: PA/Sotheby's

A pair of trainers legendary basketball player Michael Jordan used during his first season with the Chicago Bulls have sold for $1.47m (£1.1m).

Jordan used the Nike Air Ship shoe when his relationship with the sport brand began in 1984, going on to become one of the most iconic collaborations.

It is the highest figure ever spent on sporting footwear.

Michael Jordan is one of the greats. Credit: PA

The player, arguably the best in the sport's history, and the sports company still work together to this day, with the Air Jordan helping the former Chicago Bulls man become the first billionaire player in the NBA.

The Air Ship trainers pre-date Air Jordans making them especially rare as he only wore them for such a short period of time.

"This record-breaking result for the Jordan Nike Air Ships affirms the place of Michael Jordan and the Air Jordan franchise at the pinnacle of the sneaker market," said Sotheby's Brahm Wachter after the auction in Las Vegas.

Well-known collector Nick Fiorella was the man who stumped up the fee to purchase the trainers.

It is not the first time the former shooting guard's shoes have gone to auction. Last year a pair of Nike Air Jordan 1 trainers fetched $615,000 (£460,000) at auction.

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