Michael Jordan’s Jersey Sets Auction Record

Michael Jordan, often hailed as the greatest basketball player in NBA history, has had his jersey recognized as the most valuable of all time.

A recent auction saw this iconic piece of memorabilia fetch an astonishing sum, as a passionate collector paid millions to add it to their collection.

Hunt Auctions announced on Monday a private sale of a game-worn Chicago Bulls jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals, which is termed the Game 2 jersey. This jersey was worn during a pivotal match where the Bulls triumphed over the Utah Jazz, 93-88, in Salt Lake City.

Jordan’s jerseys from the Finals have garnered immense interest, especially those from Games 1, 2, and 6, which are regarded as some of the most sought-after in basketball history. The Game 2 jersey sold for a staggering $14 million, setting a new world record for basketball memorabilia, according to Hunt Auctions. This price is also the second-highest recorded for any game-used jersey across all sports.

In comparison, the only jersey that surpasses this one in value is Babe Ruth’s famous uniform from the 1932 World Series, which was sold for $24.12 million in 2024. Meanwhile, Jordan’s prior record, established in September with a white jersey from the same 1998 Finals, went for $12.26 million.

Before that, another auction in September 2022 saw Jordan’s Game 1 red jersey sell for over $10 million, surpassing the $9.28 million fetched by Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” jersey from the 1986 World Cup.

The Auction house explained that the Jordan jersey was procured directly from the Chicago Bulls and comes with a letter from a prominent figure within the organization, attesting to its significance. Jeff Schultz, the Bulls’ Director of Community Relations, noted in 2003 that he believed this jersey to be one of the finest examples of game-worn jerseys he had encountered in over 15 years with the franchise.

The item has had a clear and documented ownership history, having changed hands just once since its initial purchase from the Bulls, and it boasts Jordan’s autograph, verified by Upper Deck.

Outside of Jordan’s memorabilia, the next highest-valued NBA jersey belongs to Kobe Bryant, whose debut Lakers jersey sold for $7 million in 2025.

Collector Ron Firman, originally from Rye, New York, expressed gratitude to the auction house, calling Jordan an exceptionally talented player admired worldwide. David Hunt from Hunt Auctions noted the unprecedented demand for items associated with both Jordan and Ruth, seeing them as the pinnacle of collectible sports memorabilia.

Hunt highlighted that the extraordinary price achieved for the Jordan jersey further solidifies his impact in both sports and culture, elevating such memorabilia to a status akin to elite art.

The 1998 NBA Finals are remembered as Jordan’s “Last Dance” and served as the backdrop for a renowned Netflix series of the same name.