This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/20/2016
After his brief experiment with professional baseball in 1994, Michael Jordan unretired from the NBA and returned to his starring role with the Chicago Bulls in March 1995, just in time for the playoffs. However, the young upstart Orlando Magic surprised the Bulls by knocking them out in the 2nd round. Apparently, MJ needed a little more time to get back in his groove. So heading into the 1995-96 season, Jordan and the Bulls were out to prove their dominance once again. And they did so in historic fashion, winning a then-record 72 regular season games and plowing through the postseason with an emphatic 15-3 run to win their 4th championship. Jordan was officially back on top of the sports world, stomping on any doubters dumb enough to question his ability or desire when he walked away from the game two years earlier. For the majority of the '95-96 season, Jordan sported the white and black Air Jordan XI sneakers known as the Concords. Offered here is an incredible game-worn and signed example of this iconic pair from MJ's 72-10 season that began the Bulls 2nd three-peat. They come with a Bulls team letter and autograph certification from his exclusive memorabilia partner, Upper Deck Authenticated.
Nike officially released the Air Jordan XI to the public in 1996, and MJ wore this black leather on white canvas style from early in the season all the way through the NBA Finals. Tinker Hatfield's design for the Jordan XI featured patent leather for the first time on a basketball shoe. "Quality Basketball Products Inspired by the Greatest Player Ever" is stitched inside the upper tongue. "23" and the Jumpman logo adorn the outer heel. The pair comes in size 13.5 (an increment not available to the public) and are properly tagged on the interior with the manufacturing date code of "950709 FT1". Jordan has signed the outer side of each sneaker in shiny 8-9/10 silver pen next to its corresponding UDA hologram. Evidence of game-use include light creasing in the ankles and toes along with heel drag and moderate wear on the outsoles. The original white laces are present. The midsole and cushioning are well-preserved with no sign of degradation. These beauties are an aesthetic gem for the AJ XI Concord and certainly stand as one of MJ's finest game-worn pairs to hit the market.
Team letter from the Chicago Bulls. Autograph COA's from UDA. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.