Sotheby’s is auctioning a pair of unique Nike Hyperdunks designed in honor of President Barack Obama this week, with a price tag of $25,000.
This is actually the second pair of Hyperdunks designed for the former president. CNN reported that another pair was sold by Sotheby’s shortly after his 2009 inauguration, but these are reportedly the only two pairs in existence.
This new pair has a blue “swoosh” logo, the number “44” stitched into the inner side of each shoe, and other U.S. and presidential imagery throughout. The insoles, for example, feature graphics of bald eagles and “1776.”
Sotheby's is auctioning off a Nike Hyperdunk PE designed for Barack Obama.
There are only two in existence, with Obama owning the other pair, and bidding starts at $25,000. pic.twitter.com/KT0id1b1SX
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) February 10, 2021
Sotheby’s has kept quiet about how it acquired the incredibly rare sneakers, but stressed that it did its homework to ensure that they weren’t counterfeits.
“Through our research, due diligence and consultation with the consignor, we have every confidence that the sneakers are an authentic confirmation sample produced by Nike,” Sotheby’s director of e-commerce Brahm Wachter told CNN.
The sneaker is also similar in design to the “United We Rise” collection of branded shoes created for Team USA before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
No, President Obama never wore these sneakers, not even to fire off a few quick jumpers on the White House basketball court. But they’re still a cool collector’s item for sneakerheads, even if they’re not into politics. It doesn’t get much rarer or more exclusive than this.
Oh, and if you’re interested in branded footwear, check out our previous podcast episode on that very topic.
