$2.2 Million Price For Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals Shoe Motivates Owner to File Lawsuit Against Auction House

Nithin Joseph | 27/04/2023
The 1998 NBA Finals shoes worn by Michael Jordan were sold for $2.2 million.

The 1998 NBA Finals are considered by many to be the piece de résistance of Michael Jordan. The man led the Bulls to their sixth NBA championship, and memorabilia from that series is highly sought after. But when his game-worn shoes sold for $2.2 million, people were shocked. Especially the original owner, who is now in a pickle with the auction house.

Over the years, Air Jordan shoes have become more than a fashion statement. It has evolved into somewhat of a collector’s item, with people around the world rushing to buy both new and old releases. However, nothing beats a pair of game-worn sneakers straight from Jordan himself.

Well, in 1998, one lucky ball named Preston Truman hit the jackpot when the GOAT gave him his game-worn pair of “Last Dance” sneakers. A pair he now wants back, seeing as he has filed a lawsuit claiming he was forced to sell them.

Owner files lawsuit against auction house following $2.2 million sale of Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals shoe

As of April 3rd, 2023, the shoes worn by Michael Jordan in the 1998 NBA Finals are the most expensive of their kind. The Air Jordan 13s, aptly called the “Last Dance” shoes, signed by MJ himself are one of a kind. And, in an auction held by Sotheby’s, they sold for $2.2 million.

A humungous deal to say the least. But one that has hit a few bumps along the way. In particular, the shoes are the subject of a 2020 lawsuit filed by one Preston Truman. A Utah Jazz ball boy who received the shoes from Jordan after the Bulls’ Game 2 win.

Truman who sold the shoes for $215,000 to Grey Flannel Auctions is suing the auction house for monetary damages and wants the shoes back. He claims he was pressured into the deal, and even threatened by the buyer when he tried to back out.

He further added that the buyers took advantage of his lack of knowledge. However, this isn’t the first time Preston has worked with Grey Flannel Auctions.

Preston sold the Michael Jordan “Flu Game” shoes to Grey Flannel in 2013

He may be embroiled in a lengthy two-year lawsuit with Grey Flannel, but this isn’t the first time Preston Truman made a deal with Grey Flannel Auctions. In 1997, Truman was gifted a pair of Jordan 12s, specifically the ones worn during the infamous “Flu Game”.  In 2013, he sold the very pair to Grey Flannel for a total of $104,765.

It’s safe to say that things have gotten quite out of hand, and all over a pair of shoes. But, then again, these are shoes worn by the great Michael Jordan that we are talking about.

Post Edited By: Amulya Shekhar
Michael Jordan NBA

About the author

Nithin Joseph

Nithin is a content writer at The SportsRush. Like his favorite athlete Kobe Bryant, the company has helped Nithin elevate his writing skills to a whole new level, especially as an NBA content writer. With over 1500 articles to his name, Nithin's love for the sport knows no bounds. And, as he continues to watch the sport on a daily basis, he hopes his fascination with the NBA, especially the Miami Heat will inspire more and more readers to give the sport a chance. Perhaps, one day making basketball in India as big as it is in the United States.

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