Rare Gold Air Jordan Sneakers Found in Donation Bin, Could Fetch $20,000

Spike Lee’s Gold Air Jordan Sneakers Found in Donation Bin, Could Sell for $20,000

Spike Lee’s custom gold Nike Air Jordan 3 sneakers, specially made for him, were discovered in a donation bin at a shelter in Oregon. The rare and highly valuable sneakers are currently being auctioned by Sotheby’s, with an expected selling price of $10,000 to $20,000.

Discovery at the Portland Rescue Mission

While sorting through donated items at the Burnside Shelter, a homeless man stumbled upon the Air Jordans. Initially skeptical about such expensive footwear ending up in a donation bin, Erin Holcomb, the head of the Portland Rescue Mission, decided to authenticate the sneakers before distributing them.

Verification and Resale

The sneakers were taken to a resale store in downtown Portland, where the store owner recognized their significance and offered to purchase them for $10,000. However, Holcomb chose to return the sneakers and contacted Sotheby’s, a renowned art auction house, to handle the sale.

Sotheby’s Auction and Authenticity

Sotheby’s agreed to auction the sneakers without charging a seller’s fee and donate the proceeds to the shelter. The sneakers have already received 25 bids on Sotheby’s website, with the current highest bid standing at $9,500. To further enhance the value, Nike designer Tinker Hatfield visited the shelter, verifying the sneakers’ authenticity and ensuring their pristine condition. Hatfield provided a replacement box with his autograph and a design proof frame as additional collectible items.

Spike Lee and Nike Connection

Spike Lee has a longstanding relationship with Nike and Michael Jordan. He has appeared in Nike advertisements and collaborated on custom sneakers, including the Air Jordan 3. The final auction price of the sneakers will be donated to the Portland Rescue Mission, while Sotheby’s will retain an indirect premium from the buyer.

A Happy Ending

Tinker Hatfield expressed his joy, referring to the donation of the sneakers to the shelter as a “great project’s happy ending.” The identity of the donor remains unknown, adding a sense of mystery to the story.

Sources: The New York Post