Several pairs of sneakers worn by famous athletes like Michael Johnson and Michael Jordan are among the lots offered.

Sports fans will no doubt remember the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, when Michael Johnson entered the arena wearing gold Nike shoes.

These custom-made shoes were something of a gamble for the American sprinter, who ultimately succeeded in winning two gold medals for his country – a feat that earned him the nickname “The Man With the Golden Shoes.”

These shoes are currently listed for sale on Sotheby’s website, where they are estimated to fetch between US$30,000 and US$50,000.

Sneaker collectors can also set their sights on a pair of Converse Fastbreaks worn by Michael Jordan during the 1984 Olympic trials.

According to Sotheby’s, these are some of the rarest sneakers ever worn and signed by the American basketball star. This explains why they’re estimated to fetch between US$80,000 and US$100,000.

From sneakers to NFTs

Also up for auction until Aug 2 are Nike “Moon Shoe” designed by Bill Bowerman, and a prototype sneaker also created by the Nike co-founder. While the first pair could fetch up to US$100,000, the second is estimated at US$800,000 to US$1.2 million.

Sotheby’s is offering tech-savvy sports fans the opportunity to acquire the NFT of a painting by Muhammad Ali. This artwork is inspired by the “Fight of the Century” that saw the boxer face Joe Frazier in 1971… and lose. But the outcome of this legendary fight isn’t the same in Mohammed Ali’s drawing, which shows him victorious after 15 rounds.

While this historical reinterpretation will remain in the collection of the boxer’s family, an NFT version is available for purchase. Count between US$10,000 and US$20,000 for this unique item.