Track Spikes Made by Nike Co-Founder Bill Bowerman Could Fetch $1 Million+ at Auction

Renowned auction house Sotheby’s is putting up over 50 pieces of inspired Olympic history, coinciding with the staging of the Tokyo Olympics. Part of the assortment of sporting artefacts is a pair of track spikes, but not just any old track spikes – this pair was handmade by Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman. Expected to fetch anywhere between $800,000 and $1,200,000, the pair is one of only a handful in existence.

Made before Nike was Nike, the ‘Prototype Logo’ track spikes date back to the 1960s, and were later modified in the early 1970s for Canadian Olympic sprinter Harry Jerome. They feature a red Swoosh-like ‘prototype’ logo on the side, as well as an early incarnation of the waffle sole, one of Nike’s earliest innovations.

For the ballers, there’s also a pair of Converse Fastbreaks, which were worn by Michael Jordan during the 1984 Olympic Trials. These are expected to auction for $80,000 to $100,000.

‘The contents of this sale are among some of the most remarkable Sotheby’s has ever brought to market,’ said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Streetwear and Modern Collectables.

The Olympic collection will be open for bidding from July 23, in conjunction with the opening ceremony of the 2020 Summer Olympics. Head here for a preview of the items.