More than 70 pairs of sneakers worn by Stephen Curry during the 2025-26 NBA season will hit the auction block at Sotheby’s from April 13 to April 28, with proceeds benefiting the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation.
The online sale follows Curry’s announcement last November, that he would enter what he described as “sneaker free agency,” marking the first time in his career he was no longer tied to a single footwear partner. (For the previous 12 years, Curry was signed to Under Armour.) Over the ensuing months, the Golden State Warriors guard has sported a different pair of sneakers in nearly every appearance, spanning pre-game warmups, tunnel walks, and during games.
Described by Sotheby’s as a “singular chapter” in the athlete’s career, the collection includes models from Nike and Jordan Brand to Adidas, Puma, and Li-Ning. Estimates for individual lots range from $3,000 to $50,000, depending on rarity, provenance, and whether the sneakers are game-worn or signed.
Among the sale’s headliners is a pair of Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Mambacita” sneakers worn shortly after Curry announced his free agency, in tribute to the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. Another top lot is the Nike Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game,” famously associated with Michael Jordan’s star performance in the 1997 NBA Finals. Curry wore the sneakers ahead of a game against the Utah Jazz.
Game-worn pairs tied to on-court milestones are also included. A Nike Kobe 4 Protro “CHBL” model was worn during a 48-point performance in which Curry set a record for the most 40-point games by a player over the age of 30. Other lots include a custom Nike Sabrina 3 linked to Sabrina Ionescu, as well as the On THE ROGER Pro, a tennis-inspired shoe developed in collaboration with Roger Federer.
“What makes this even more special is the impact it can have off the court,” Curry said in a statement, noting that all proceeds will support initiatives focused on youth nutrition, literacy, and access to safe play spaces.
“What makes this auction so special is that, at its core, it’s a true form of storytelling,” Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles, told ARTnews. “Through each pair of sneakers, Stephen reflects on his personal journey, his deep passion and knowledge for the game, as well as his respect for the athletes and eras that came before him and those he’s competed alongside. The sneaker community has been closely following every step of this ‘free agency’ moment, and we expect a tremendous level of excitement around the auction. That energy, paired with the benefit to the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, allows this moment to translate into real, meaningful impact, which makes it all the more significant.”
The Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, founded in 2019 by Curry and his wife Ayesha, supports programs aimed at improving outcomes for children in underserved communities, particularly in Oakland.
