a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Michael Jordan's $8M championship Air Jordans featured in every NBA Finals win that secured his 6 rings and cemented his legacy
Images via Getty Images
Michael Jordan
didn't just play basketball—he turned it into mythology. Every NBA Finals appearance added another chapter, not just to his legacy, but to the cultural phenomenon surrounding him.
And now, six of those moments have been immortalized in the most fitting way possible: through his shoes.
With mid-June marking the stretch of anniversaries tied to all six of his NBA championships, it's a timely moment to reflect on the sneakers worn during each of those title-clinching nights. Dubbed the 'Dynasty Collection,' six individual Air Jordans worn by the six-time champion during each of his Finals wins were recently sold for a staggering $8 million at Sotheby's.
Each pair is an artifact of a title-winning moment—trophies in sneaker form.
Accompanied by signed photographs of His Airness mid-celebration, the collection was hailed by Sotheby's Brahm Wachter as the 'sole-defining 'holy grail' of sneaker collecting.' It's now the second-most expensive piece of Jordan memorabilia ever sold, trailing only the $10.1 million 'Last Dance' jersey from the 1998 Finals.
Each sneaker tells its own story—of domination, redemption, and clutch greatness.
Here's a look at the six pairs that helped define the greatest basketball career of all time.
Sneakers that shaped Michael Jordan's championship legacy in every NBA Finals victory
From the Black Infrareds to the Last Shots, every sneaker in this lineup played a role in securing one of
Michael Jordan
's six NBA championships. Here's a closer look at the iconic pairs worn during each Finals-clinching performance — a legacy told through the sneakers that sealed every title.
1991: Air Jordan 6 – First taste of greatness
Jordan's first championship came laced in Air Jordan 6 'Black Infrared.' Designed by Tinker Hatfield and inspired by MJ's Porsche 911, the shoe offered functional flair—dual tongue holes and a spoiler-style heel tab. Averaging over 31 points per game in the Finals, he finally dismantled
Magic Johnson
's Lakers and silenced critics after years of playoff heartbreak.
The Bulls were champions—and so was the man in the No. 23 jersey.
1992: Air Jordan 7 – Superstar ascends
In the 'Raptor' colorway of the Air Jordan 7, MJ led the Bulls to a second straight title while also adding Olympic gold to his resume as the leader of the Dream Team. His Airness claimed another Finals MVP and a league MVP, cementing his global stardom. The AJ7 became a symbol of his expanding dominance, not just in the league but around the world.
1993: Air Jordan 8 – The three-peat is complete
The Air Jordan 8 brought cross-straps and a tougher silhouette, fitting for a bruising series against
Charles Barkley
's Suns.
The black-and-red 'Playoffs' colorway carried the Bulls to a third straight ring, and MJ to a third consecutive Finals MVP. A dynasty was no longer forming—it was already here.
1996: Air Jordan 11 – The comeback crown
Following a 17-month retirement, the NBA's ultimate competitor returned with a vengeance. In the Air Jordan 11, featuring glossy patent leather and futuristic design, he powered the Bulls to 72 wins and his fourth title. Though the white 'Concord' made waves in the regular season, it was the 'Bred' version that sealed victory in the Finals.
The AJ11 became synonymous with clutch performance—and a personal favorite of His Airness.
1997: Air Jordan 12 – The flu game legacy
In Game 5 of the Finals, the five-time MVP battled a 103-degree fever, scoring 38 points in what would become known as the 'Flu Game.' He wore the black and red Air Jordan 12, forever tying it to one of the grittiest performances in sports history. But it was in the black-and-white 'Taxi' colorway that MJ lifted his fifth championship trophy—his first in a non-black-and-red pair.
1998: Air Jordan 14 – The Last Dance
With 5.2 seconds on the clock and everything on the line, the Bulls' icon hit the 'Last Shot' over Bryon Russell in Air Jordan 14s. The sleek, Ferrari-inspired prototype wasn't even supposed to hit the court yet, but MJ couldn't resist. The shoe—and the shot—closed out his sixth championship and final moment in a Bulls jersey. It was a pure storybook.
Beyond the Rings — How Michael Jordan's sneakers became a lasting symbol of greatness
After completing his first three-peat, the six-time Finals MVP shocked the world by walking away from the game in 1993.
Grieving the loss of his father and following a dream of playing baseball, MJ left the hardwood behind. When he returned in 1995, he briefly laced up the Air Jordan 10—notably the 'Steel' colorway during a 52-point charity game at the old Chicago Stadium. That very model is getting a re-release on August 2, priced at $200, featuring a rare toe-cap design originally pulled at Jordan's request.
For collectors, it's a detail that carries unmatched weight.
Also Read:
Kevin Durant drops 5-word reaction to viral Michael Jordan clip picking him over Kobe Bryant and LeBron James
What His Airness wore was never just about style—it was a signal that something unforgettable was about to unfold. From the Porsche-inspired AJ6 to the Ferrari-fueled AJ14, each pair is more than a sneaker; it's a timestamp in sports history. Decades later, the legend continues to soar—stitched into laces, sealed in leather, and now, enshrined in auction house gold.
