The

Air Jordan XIII

1997–1998

Air Jordan XIII, designed by Tinker Hatfield, was introduced in the fall of 1997 and worn by Michael Jordan during the opening of the 1997–98 NBA season. Early production examples reflect the model’s transition into full use following Jordan’s return, with consistent deployment across both home and road uniforms throughout the early portion of the season.

The Air Jordan XIII marked a shift toward a more structured and durable construction, featuring stitched leather paneling and a reinforced outsole suited for continuous in-game use. Jordan wore the model extensively through the 1997–98 season, including during the postseason, with multiple pairs documented across regular season and playoff play.

Model Summary

Air Jordan XIII

Audit in Progress

Total Documented Examples

Publicly Sold Examples

Privately Held Examples

Archive Updated May 16, 2026

Verification Summary

Method	Count	Public	Private	Status
Photo Matched	5	5	1	⏳
Coding Verified	1	1	0	⏳

Unlike jerseys, footwear is documented by model, use, and method of verification rather than population accounting.

Methodology & Identification

Air Jordan XIII, designed by Tinker Hatfield, was introduced in late 1997 and worn by Michael Jordan during the 1997–98 NBA season. Internal production coding on early examples indicates manufacturing dating to mid–late 1997, preceding the model’s full rotation during the opening months of the season.

Jordan first wore the Air Jordan XIII in the early portion of the 1997–98 preseason, while in Paris. The model remained in consistent rotation throughout the regular season and playoffs, including during the 1998 NBA Finals, with multiple pairs documented across sustained in-game wear during this period.

Documented Examples

Known Air Jordan XIII Record

The following entries represent documented Air Jordan XIII examples associated with Michael Jordan across the early development, promotional, charitable, and competitive use phases of the model. Each record combines construction details, sale history, and archive research.

Air Jordan XIII worn by Michael Jordan.

Archive ReferencePair A

Production Code339069 Y3

Size13.5 L / 13.5 R

A gift to long time referee Jimmy Butler, Jordan penned the inscription "Give me Calls!"

Public Sale

Auction House: Goldin Auctions
Sale Date: November 23, 2024
Lot #: 1
Sale Price: $54,240

View Sale Listing →

Photo Match Details

Photo-Matched: Yes
Games Photo-Matched: 1
Photo-Matched By: SIA

Research & Provenance

Provenance comes from Jimmy Butler, former NBA referee. Michael Jordan signed and inscribed the shoes personally to Jimmy after the Denver game.
They have been in Butler's possession since that night and until this sale.

Air Jordan XIII worn by Michael Jordan.

Archive ReferencePair B

Production Code341548 Y3

Size13.5 L / 13.5 R

Worn during game 2 of the Last Dance Finals verse the Jazz.

Public Sale

Auction House: Sotheby's
Sale Date: April 11, 2023
Lot #: 1
Sale Price: $2,238,000

View Sale Listing →

Photo Match Details

Photo-Matched: Yes
Games Photo-Matched: 1
Photo-Matched By: MeiGray

Research & Provenance

Provenance comes from Preston Turner, former ballboy for the Utah Jazz. Michael Jordan signed this pair in the locker room after game 2 on June 5.
The shoes were worn during the second half of the game, a common for this particular Last Dance season.

Air Jordan XIII worn by Michael Jordan.

Archive ReferencePair C

Production Code341548 Y3

Size13.5 L / 13.5 R

Worn during game 1 of the Last Dance Finals verse the Jazz.

Public Sale

Auction House: Mile High Card Company
Sale Date: August 06, 2013
Lot #: 41
Sale Price: $117,644

View Sale Listing →

Photo Match Details

Photo-Matched: Yes
Games Photo-Matched: 1
Photo-Matched By: SIA

Research & Provenance

Provenance comes from former ballboy for the Utah Jazz, Jared Fawson. Michael Jordan signed this pair in the locker room after game 1 on June 3.
The shoes were worn during the second half of the game, common for this particular Last Dance Finals.

Air Jordan XIII sample worn by Michael Jordan.

Archive ReferencePair D

Production Code980507 PC8

Size13.5 L / 13.5 R

Worn during game 2 of the Last Dance ECF verse the Pacers, during Jordan acceptance of the MVP Trophy.

Photo Match Details

Photo-Matched: Yes
Games Photo-Matched: 1
Photo-Matched By: MJA

Research & Provenance

The shoes were worn during the second game of the series, unlike the other pairs worn during this season, this particular pair was worn for the full game. We have matched this to multiple Getty images from this may 19 game.

Air Jordan XIII sample worn by Michael Jordan.

Archive ReferencePair E

Production Code980507 PC8

Size13.5 L / 13.5 R

Worn during game 7 of the Last Dance Eastern Conference Final verse the Pacers.

Public Sale

Auction House: Christie's
Sale Date: June 14, 2022
Lot #: 5
Sale Price: $378,000

View Sale Listing →

Photo Match Details

Photo-Matched: Yes
Games Photo-Matched: 1
Photo-Matched By: MJA, SIA

Research & Provenance

The shoes were worn during the clinching finals game of the series, this particular pair was worn for the first half of the game. We have matched this to multiple Getty images from the May 31 game.
Internal Archive research resulted in a conclusive match and was shared for an additional conclusive match outside of the Archive.

Air Jordan XIII worn by Michael Jordan.

Archive ReferencePair F

Production Code339069 Y3

Size13.5 L / 13.5 R

Associated with the second to last game of the 1997-98 regular season.

Public Sale

Auction House: SCP Auctions
Sale Date: August 11, 2018
Lot #: 376
Sale Price: $10,010

View Sale Listing →

Photo Match Details

Photo-Matched: No
Games Photo-Matched: 0
Photo-Matched By: None

Research & Provenance

Provenance comes from Joseph Aurelio Jr, founder of Aurelios Pizza in Chicago. Joseph received this pair from a United Center employee who attributed this pair to the game on 4-27-98. Joseph later had the item signed by Michael Jordan in 2003, during a round of golf.
Independent archive research can not verify the pair to be used on 4-27-98, which was a road game in Philadelphia. Photographs do not provide a match.

Air Jordan XIII worn by Michael Jordan.

Archive ReferencePair G

Production Code339069 Y3

Size13.5 L / 13.5 R

Worn during a 32 point and 5 rebound performance.

Public Sale

Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Sale Date: February 24, 2024
Lot #: 80105
Sale Price: $84,000

View Sale Listing →

Photo Match Details

Photo-Matched: Yes
Games Photo-Matched: 1
Photo-Matched By: SIA

Research & Provenance

Letter of Authentication from PSA/DNA and beckett.

Air Jordan XIII

Air Jordan XIII

Known Air Jordan XIII Record

1998 Air Jordan XIII - White | Red

Public Sale

Photo Match Details

1998 Air Jordan XIII - Black | Red

Public Sale

Photo Match Details

1998 Air Jordan XIII - Black | Red

Public Sale

Photo Match Details

1998 Air Jordan XIII Low Sample - Black | White | Varsity Red

Photo Match Details

1998 Air Jordan XIII Low Sample - Black | White | Varsity Red

Public Sale

Photo Match Details

1998 Air Jordan XIII - White | Red

Public Sale

Photo Match Details

1998 Air Jordan XIII - White | Black | True Red

Public Sale

Photo Match Details