How much is a sneaker worn by teen pop sensation Justin Bieber worth?
At least $10,700 if a current eBay auction is any indication.
Bieber donated a pair of purple Nikes to his former school -- Stratford Northwestern Secondary School -- and the right shoe is on the block until 12:39 p.m. Friday.
Grade 11 student Abbie Chalmers said the scuffed size 7 1/2 shoe is autographed with Bieber's full name -- he usually just signs "J.B." for fans --and comes with a letter of authenticity.
"These are purple Nikes, his trademark purple colour, of course, and they are signed on the side and also they have gravel stuck in the bottom of the tread and dirt on the side," Chalmers said Wednesday. "They're definitely worn."
Local residents have photos of what they believe is the international superstar wearing the shoes in Stratford, said Chalmers.
The auction started March 1, Bieber's 17th birthday. The school hoped the timing would be "a savvy marketing move," said teacher Kristin Frank.
As of Wednesday afternoon, bidding stood at $10,700 with 104 bids entered. Bids have come in from across Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Poland, England and the U.S.
Frank was expecting the sale of the shoe to raise about $3,000.
"I never thought it would go this high, but never say never, right? That's Justin's whole mantra," said Frank. "It seems like anything he touches is gold."
Proceeds from shoe's sale will go towards transforming a small office at the school into a broadcasting and communications studio.
"We've kind of joked around that it could be the Bieber Broadcasting Centre and that would be the BBC," said Frank. "We're just not sure about the legalities of the trademark of the BBC."
The students want to buy microphones, a mixer, cameras and computer editing software, said Chalmers.
The school approached the singer's grandparents to see if Bieber would help them and they offered up the sneakers. The school is still deciding whether to auction the second shoe or offer it to the second-highest bidder, said Frank.
A lock of Bieber's hair enclosed in a Plexiglas box that was signed by the singer was bought at auction for US$40,668 earlier this month by the online casino GoldenPalace.com.
Proceeds from that auction went to a foundation that provides a safe haven for farm animals.
On Monday, a different pair of Bieber's shoes will be enshrined at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto following a tribute performance.
The shoes will be on display in the museum's main space next week during March Break, before being moved to the celebrity gallery, alongside footwear from other Juno Award winners.
