Sneakerheads. Athletic shoes are of interest to two kinds of collectors. One group is like the traditional antiques collector who buys sneakers to use, admire, and save. But there’s a new type of collector who buys to save and sell for profit. Sneakers were not popular until 1984, when Michael Jordan wore Air Jordans during a basketball game and was fined $5,000. The first sports shoes were sneakers made after the 1839 invention of vulcanized rubber. They were expensive and were status symbols until prices fell when the high-topped canvas sneaker was made in the 1890s. They became commonplace and less expensive, so the next status shoe was the low-top running shoe seen on athletes in the 1936 Olympics. Nike and Adidas started making limited edition sneakers by 1985, and soon investor “sneakerheads” were buying, selling, and raising the prices of “old” sneakers.

It is an organized hobby today with many books, apps, blogs, and websites to provide information. A pair of Michael Jordan sneakers worn in the 1984 Olympic Games sold recently for $190,373. There are also thefts of rare shoes. One netted $600,000 for the thief. Some sneakers, like the red Kanye West Nikes, sell for almost $20,000. Experts say the limited edition and celebrity endorsement market will give sneakerheads logs of new sneakers for at least a few more years.

Converse Sneakers worn by Michael Jordan in the 1984 Olympics sold for $190,373:

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