Jermaine Jenas seeks The World’s Most Expensive Trainers

14 April 2023

Presenter, pundit and former Premier League footballer Jermaine Jenas is a self-confessed trainer addict. The ex-England, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United midfielder has an impressive collection amassed throughout his footballing career and beyond.

Now, in an entertaining authored documentary made by BriteSpark East, part of Argonon, for Channel 4, Jenas explores the increasing obsession with sports shoes in the UK and across the globe.

In The World’s Most Expensive Trainers (1x60’), JJ meets fellow trainer obsessives up and down the country, encountering a new generation of teenage entrepreneurs turning their passion for trainers into big money, buying and selling must-have pairs and using the latest technologies to be first in line for limited-edition releases.

He also joins a young seller hunting down sought-after shoes on the high street and hustling to make a massive profit in re-sales.  Along the way, JJ discusses his love for sneakers, delving into his own collection and revealing how his childhood fuelled his passion.

Finally, travelling to New York to get to the heart and history of sneaker culture, Jermaine discovers even Sotheby’s now trade in trainers. And JJ’s ultimate aim? To get his hands on a rare pair of Nike Air Jordans, worn by the legendary Michael Jordan himself, a pair that could be worth over $2m, making them the world’s most expensive trainers…

Jermaine Jenas said: “What can I say, I love trainers. They do something to me and transport me back to a moment in time. Whether it be that first pair of Air Max 95s I ever owned or a classic pair of Dunks. I’ve built a collection over the years and have an appreciation for each pair. I’m fascinated by the world of trainers and the hustlers that run the game.”

Deborah Dunnett, commissioning editor for Channel 4, said: “What I love about this story are the new British money-makers. Whip-smart kids joyfully trading in this new commodity and making an absolute mint - leaving dusty, old-school art or wine collectors to watch from the side. And Jermaine is just the right person to bring it to life. His knowledge – and obsession - knows no bounds.”

Tom Porter, co-Creative Director at BriteSpark Films, said: “The story of how leather, canvas and rubber became worth millions is unlaced brilliantly by Jermaine, who is uniquely placed as a passionate Sneakerhead to guide us to the million-dollar summit of this modern-age tale.”

The World’s Most Expensive Trainers is 1x60’ film made by BriteSpark East. It was commissioned for Channel 4 by Deborah Dunnett, commissioning editor, Daytime and Features, and Barry Agnew, commissioning executive, Daytime and Features. The executive producers for BriteSpark Films are Tom Porter and Nick Godwin, the producer/director is Tom Green. The film will be distributed by BossaNova Media.

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