Yao Ming slam dunks Michael Jordan in charity auction

Agence France-Presse
Last updated 01:03pm (Mla time) 09/14/2007



BEIJING -- Houston Rocket Yao Ming slam dunked NBA legend Michael Jordan at a charity auction here, with a pair of the center's shoes fetching nearly 10 times more than a Chicago Bulls jersey.

The signed shoes and some other items went for 3.6 million yuan ($480,000) at the Thursday night event, while the jersey signed and worn by Jordan during the 1996 NBA finals sold for a paltry 380,000 yuan, the First newspaper reported.

The president of one of China's biggest beverage companies, Huiyuan, also received two front row seats to the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony and a Games banner signed by NBA stars and China's national basketball team for his winning bid.

But with Olympic opening ceremony tickets selling for up to 5,000 yuan each, it was clear that Yao's shoes were the top attraction and those in the audience were reportedly stunned by the package going for so much.

The auction, organized by Yao and NBA All Star guard Steve Nash, will be followed by a Friday night celebrity exhibition match-up between the Chinese side and the NBA stars.

NBA stars joining in the game televised nationally in China include Nash's Phoenix Suns teammate Leandro Barbosa, Denver Nugget Carmelo Anthony and Golden State's Baron Davis.

A total of 6.75 million yuan was raised at the auction attended by a bevy of Chinese movie and pop stars, with Yao contributing another 250,000 yuan to top up the proceeds that will go to help educate impoverished Chinese children.