The echoes of Barcelona 1992 still ripple through basketball history.
Now, a tangible piece of that summer is returning to the spotlight as Scottie Pippen prepares to auction a pair of “Olympic” Air Jordan 7s worn by Michael Jordan during the gold-medal run of the 1992 Summer Olympics.
The sneakers headline The Scottie Pippen Collection, an online auction organized by Sotheby’s and scheduled to run from March 2 to March 10. According to Sotheby’s, Jordan wore the Air Jordan 7 “Olympic” model throughout the tournament and gave them to Pippen after the final against Croatia. Both heels are signed by Jordan, a detail that significantly elevates their historical value.
The estimated price exceeds $2 million, placing the shoes among the most valuable basketball sneakers ever offered at public auction. That estimate aligns with recent market benchmarks. In 2023, Sotheby’s confirmed that Jordan’s game-worn sneakers from the 1998 NBA Finals sold for $2.2 million. Meanwhile, The New York Times and ESPN reported that the private sale of Jordan’s “Dynasty Collection” reached close to $8 million.
For collectors, the appeal extends well beyond the autograph. These shoes represent the exact moment when NBA stars officially took over the Olympic stage, reshaping the sport’s global identity. The Dream Team did not simply dominate opponents. It changed how basketball was consumed, marketed, and remembered around the world.
More than sneakers, a personal archive
Pippen has described the sale as a deliberate and personal decision. In the auction announcement, he explained that he felt ready to let the items go, saying “I’ve spent time with it and I feel ready to allow others to continue the stories of these pieces.” For him, the auction is less about separation and more about preservation.
The sneakers are only part of what Sotheby’s is offering. The collection also includes Pippen’s 1994 NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy, multiple All-Star jerseys, Olympic apparel from Barcelona 1992, and championship-era memorabilia tied to his years with the Chicago Bulls. Together, the items form a personal archive of one of the most influential periods in modern basketball.
The timing reflects broader changes in the collectibles market. Over the last decade, sports memorabilia values have surged, driven by improved authentication, increased global demand, and growing interest from investors. Analysts cited by Forbes have noted that Olympic-worn items from the Dream Team era now sit at the very top of the market due to their rarity and cultural weight.
When bidding opens in early March, the final price will offer another data point in the booming memorabilia economy. Whatever the result, a quiet locker-room exchange from 1992 is now set to write its next chapter in public view.
This article is based on official information released by Sotheby’s, public statements from Scottie Pippen, and reporting from ESPN, Forbes, and The New York Times on historical sneaker sales and memorabilia market trends.
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