Michael Jordan’s “closed eyes” free throw lives on in sneaker form — and are likely to fetch upwards of $600,000 at auction later this month.
Sotheby’s will auction the signed Air Jordan VIIs he wore during the Chicago Bulls’ March 31, 1992 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, with bids expected to reach between $400,000 and $600,000.
He wore the pair in what remains one of his career’s most audacious moments. With less than 14 seconds remaining and the Bulls leading by five, Jordan stepped to the line against longtime rival Patrick Ewing. After hitting his first free throw, he announced to Ewing he would take the next one with his eyes closed — and then calmly sank the shot.
Broadcaster Marv Albert captured the shock in real time: “Michael enjoying the moment… looks like he threatened to close the eyes… yup, he did it. He did it with the eyes closed.” Chicago secured the win, and the play instantly became part of NBA lore.
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The pair offered at auction reflects that exact night. Constructed in the original “Hare” colorway, the Air Jordan VIIs are signed on the heel and show clear game wear. Released in 1992, the VII would soon become an international icon as Jordan led the U.S. “Dream Team” to Olympic gold in Barcelona, further cementing the shoe’s status.
Michael Jordan’s 1991–92 season was one of his most dominant in the league. He averaged 30.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game, picked up his second straight MVP award and led the Bulls to back-to-back championships. That spring, Chicago once again faced the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, stretching the matchup to seven games before ultimately advancing.
The sneakers will headline Sotheby’s MYTHOS | Sneakers and Modern Collectibles sale in New York, running Sept. 19–29. They follow a series of high-profile Jordan auctions at Sotheby’s, including his 1988 Finals “Last Dance” jersey, which sold for $10.1 million in 2022. Earlier this year, the house offered Jordan’s first NBA game jersey, sold for $4.215 million in March, alongside Kobe Bryant’s rookie Lakers jersey auctioned in April.
With provenance tied to one of the NBA’s most replayed highlights, Sotheby’s calls the sneakers a centerpiece for collectors. For Jordan fans, they represent the exact shoes worn in a moment of pure bravado — a free throw no one saw coming.
