On the 25th anniversary of Michael Jordan's iconic game-winning shot in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, the sneakers he wore one season earlier in the infamous «Flu Game» sold for more than $1 million.
Despite subsequent revelations from Jordan's trainer and «The Last Dance» documentary that he wasn't actually ailed by the flu in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals — «The Food Poisoning Game» doesn't pack the same wallop — the sneakers that Jordan wore that night have sold for $1.38 million (including buyer's premium) with collectibles marketplace Goldin.
The shoes sold at auction on Wednesday. Jordan had 38 points, seven rebounds and five assists in more than 44 minutes that night to lead the Bulls past the Jazz in Utah.
Then he gave his signed sneakers to Jazz ball boy Preston Truman, who'd curried favor with Jordan by bringing him applesauce after games. (Truman was photographed receiving the signed kicks from Jordan, but additional photo-matching was done by MeiGray and Sports Investors Authentication; there's also a letter of authenticity from Truman.) The Bulls went on to clinch the 1997 title in six games.