NEW YORK, NY.- This July, Christie’s will present the Gamechangers sale series, which will encompass two online only sales, The Athlete: Photographs by Walter Iooss, Jr. and Original Air: Michael Jordan Game-Worn and Player Exclusive Sneaker Rarities as well as a private selling exhibition, For the Love of the Game: Sports in Modern and Contemporary Art. From an iconic Warhol portraits to the dynamic sports photography of Walter Iooss to the most comprehensive sneaker record of Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls career from streetwear mainstay Stadium Goods, the Gamechangers sale series is an homage to the vast and diverse world of sports. Highlights from the three sales include a Nike Air Ship that Jordan wore during his rookie season, a Walter Iooss, Jr. photograph of Kobe Bryant and Andy Warhol’s portrait of Chris Evert. Explore the sales online, read more about the works offered and contact a specialist for a private viewing virtually or in person at Rockefeller Center.

Online Only Sale | The Athlete: Photographs by Walter Iooss, Jr
Open for Bidding 23 July - 11 August

With a half a century of experience behind the camera, Walter Iooss has photographed thousands of athletes, including the most iconic stars in the biggest arenas under the brightest lights. His unrivaled ability to ‘get the shot’—a skill that has made him a legend among those he has photographed—has allowed him unparalleled access to the inner sanctum of club houses, team planes, and the homes of many athletes. He has gained the trust and admiration of many. “From what I can tell, Walter has never taken a bad shot of anybody or anything. Years later, working together on Rare Air, we had become so comfortable around one another that I barely had to look up. You don’t have to perform for Walter.”—Michael Jordan.

In this online exclusive auction of 38 rare, vintage photographic prints of basketball, football and baseball heroes of the 1960s-2000s, the genius and eye of Walter Iooss are in full-effect, making us fall in love all over again with these memorable heroes of the court, field and diamond.

Highlights include:




• Walter Ioss (B.1943), Muhammad Ali, Berrien Springs, MI, 1998, gelatin silver print with ink handwork, printed 2003. This work is unique. $10,000-15,000

• Walter Ioss (B.1943), Michael Jordan, ‘The Blue Dunk’, Lisle, IL, 1987, archival pigment print, printed 2015. $5,000-7,000

• Walter Ioss (B.1943), Joe Namath, Poolside, Galt Ocean Mile Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 1969, archival pigment print. $4,000-6,000

• Walter Ioss (B.1943), Tony Scott & Gary Templeton, Los Angeles, CA, 1980, chromogenic print, printed 1981. This work is unique. $4,000-6,000

Private Selling Exhibition | For the Love of the Game: Sports in Modern and Contemporary Art
Open for Browsing 23 July - 11 August

Christie’s is also pleased to present For the Love of the Game: Sports in Modern and Contemporary Art, an online private selling exhibition exploring the theme of sports in 20th century and contemporary art. Artists have drawn inspiration from athletes and physical competition since antiquity, and 20th-century artists have contributed an important critical viewpoint to this artistic dialogue. The old motifs of physical prowess and beauty have been superseded by unique and contemporary themes: the artist as celebrity, commodity, hero and myth.

Highlights Include:

• Jeff Koons (b. 1955), Zungul. Nike poster, in artist’s frame. Executed in 1985. This work is number one from an edition of two.

• Anthony Rianda (B. 1985), Michael Jordan, oil and acrylic and spray paint, painted in 2020.

• Marcel Duchamp (1887–1968), Monte Carlo Bond (No. 29). Imitated Rectified Readymade with printed paper, and silver gelatin print of a photograph by Man Ray, conceived in 1924

• Andy Warhol (1928–1987), Pele, unique polaroid print. Executed in 1977.

Online Only Sale | Original Air: Michael Jordan Game-Worn and Player Exclusive Sneaker Rarities
Open for Bidding 30 July - 13 August

Christie’s and Stadium Goods have partnered to offer a unique sneaker overview of Michael Jordan’s era-defining Chicago Bulls career. With a total of 11 lots, the inaugural sale includes a pre-Jordan Brand Nike Air Ship Jordan worn during his rookie season, signed Air Jordan 1 TYPS PE sneakers, a game-worn Air Jordan 1 from the infamous “Shattered Backboard” exhibition 1985 game in Italy; Game-worn and signed “Fire Red,” Air Jordan 4s, a pair of Air Jordan 5 “Fire Red,” PE Sneakers, the very pair of the Air Jordan 7 “Olympic,” worn in the Dream Team’s gold medal game in 1992; a pair of Air Jordan 10 PE baseball cleats from Jordan’s 1995 stint in minor league baseball, an Air Jordan 10 “Shadow” PE Sneaker, a game-worn and triple-signed Air Jordan 11 “Concord” PS Sneaker-with proceeds of this lot being donated to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, a mint-condition Air Jordan 11 “Bred” PE Sneaker, finishing with a a pair of classic Jordan 14s worn during practice for his final Bulls appearance in 1998, “Original Air” provides a one-of-a-kind look at Jordan’s career and his footwear’s impact on sports, culture and style.