Walter Iooss Jr. is widely viewed as the world’s greatest sports photographer and called “the Rembrandt of sports,” due to his use of light, color, and composition, Walter’s images transcend his subjects’ fame and have come to represent modern sports culture. Over the past 60 years, Walter’s photographs have graced the pages of Sports Illustrated, including more than 300 covers. His work has changed the definition of what a “good sports photograph” should be, bridging the gap between sports photography and fine art.

Walter has photographed the most recognized athletes in sports history, including Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, and hundreds more. His catalog also contains the most iconic imagery of Michael Jordan in the world. These images have helped define sports culture over the years, portraying iconic athletes and their legacies in an inspired, artistic light.

Walter placed the same care and consciousness from his sports photographs to create Sports Illustrated’s now-legendary swimsuit issues. As in his action shots, his pictures for SI’s legendary swimsuit issues revealed his uncanny sense of graphics and Rembrandt-like reverence for light and shadow. His ability to truly connect with his subjects, athletes, and models helped make Walter the best in the game.

In The News

Notable Sales

One of the few sports photographers to ever be featured by a fine arts auction house, Walter Iooss Jr.’s print photos are highly coveted having realized prices of $37K and far beyond.

G.O.A.Ts

Riding on the success of his ESPN documentary, “G.O.A.T.s: The Greatest of All Time,” Iooss comes out of the NFT gates, releasing ten iconic images of some of the most legendary G.O.A.T.s of our time. This drop focuses on Walter as an artist, his historical achievements, and the vast catalog of cultural treasures that he has to offer.

The Jordan is a deep cut in the catalog.  One of  Walter’s favorites but less known. It has had very limited print runs. All of this is why Walter chose it as his debut  1 of 1 NFT. 


The Montana, Tiger, Gretzky, Griffey, and Ali are some of Walter’s most iconic works, featured prominently in his documentary that just was released. 


While they have seen the light of day across multiple media entities, there have been no official edition print runs of Phelps, Michelle, Kelly Slater, Martina shots making these official NFTs unique in the market.

10% of Total Sale Proceeds will be distributed equally amongst the following charities:

Muhammad Ali Center, Feeding America, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, Make A Wish, TGR Foundation, Offsetra, Women’s Sports Foundation, Oceana, Michael Phelps Foundation, and Color of Change.

Michael Jordan, Detroit, MI 1987

Editions: One
Pricing: Accepting Offers only

*A 24 hour auction will ensue once reserve price is met

*Owner will receive a stamped 8 x 10 physical print + “A copy of a 1st Edition Rare Air Collection, signed by Walter Iooss Jr. and a handwritten dated inscription that reads: “Thank you for purchasing my first NFT of Mr. Jordan.”  NFT Contract # xxxxxxxxxxxx.

Artist Statement:

15 MINUTES LIMITED OPEN EDITIONS

Any collector who purchases 3 or more open editions will receive an 8 x 10 print of an athlete of their choice stamped by the artist (excluding Micheal Jordan)

Muhammad Ali & Ernie Terrell, Houston, TX 1967

Editions: Limited Open Edition
Pricing: $3999

*Artwork will be available for purchase for 15 minutes only from 3:30-3:45 PM PT on April 15, 2021.

Any collector who purchases 3 or more open editions will receive an 8 x 10 print of an athlete of their choice stamped by the artist (excluding Micheal Jordan)

Artist Statement

Tiger Woods, Orlando, FL 2002

Editions: Limited Open Edition
Pricing: $3999

*Artwork will be available for purchase for 15 minutes only from 3:30-3:45 PM PT on April 15, 2021.

**Any collector who purchases 3 or more open editions will receive an 8 x 10 print of an athlete of their choice stamped by the artist (excluding Micheal Jordan)

Artist Statement:
Joe Montana, Redwood City, CA 1991

Editions: Limited Open Edition
Pricing: $3999

*Artwork will be available for purchase for 15 minutes only from 3:30-3:45 PM PT on April 15, 2021.

**Any collector who purchases 3 or more open editions will receive an 8 x 10 print of an athlete of their choice stamped by the artist (excluding Micheal Jordan)

Artist Statement

Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles, CA 1991

Editions: Limited Open Edition
Pricing: $3999

*Artwork will be available for purchase for 15 minutes only from 3:30-3:45 PM PT on April 15, 2021.

**Any collector who purchases 3 or more open editions will receive an 8 x 10 print of an athlete of their choice stamped by the artist (excluding Micheal Jordan)

Artist Statement

FIXED EDITIONS

An 8 x 10 signed physical print will be raffled amongst all edition owners. The winner will receive a physical print of the edition that they purchased or of their choice.

Kelly Slater, Melbourne Beach, FL 1990

Editions: 10
Pricing: $1,999

*Final edition will be auctioned

**All buyers of a fixed edition artwork will be entered into a raffle to win an 8×10″ non-editioned physical print, stamped from the artist, of an athlete of your choice. (does not include Michael Jordan or the open editions)

Artist Statement

Martina Navratilova, Hempstead, NY 1991

Editions: 10
Pricing: $1,999

*Final edition will be auctioned

**All buyers of a fixed edition artwork will be entered into a raffle to win an 8×10″ non-editioned physical print, stamped from the artist, of an athlete of your choice. (does not include Michael Jordan or the open editions)

Artist Statement

Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle, WA 1996

Editions: 10
Pricing: $1999

*Final edition will be auctioned

**All buyers of a fixed edition artwork will be entered into a raffle to win an 8×10″ non-editioned physical print, stamped from the artist, of an athlete of your choice. (does not include Michael Jordan or the open editions)

Artist Statement

FIXED EDITIONS: “THE OLYMPIANS”

Michelle Kwan, New York, NY 1997

Editions: 20
Pricing: $999

*Final edition will be auctioned

**All buyers of a fixed edition artwork will be entered into a raffle to win an 8×10″ non-editioned physical print, stamped from the artist, of an athlete of your choice. (does not include Michael Jordan or the open editions)

Artist Statement
Michael Phelps, Baltimore, MD 2004

Editions: 20
Pricing: $999

*Final edition will be auctioned

**All buyers of a fixed edition artwork will be entered into a raffle to win an 8×10″ non-editioned physical print, stamped from the artist, of an athlete of your choice. (does not include Michael Jordan or the open editions)

Artist Statement

Get in Touch

If you’re a digital creator, you can learn more about MakersPlace here.

Ready to start your rare digital art collection? Join here.

Follow us on Discord, Twitter, Medium, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Published by aisha_arif

Leave a Reply