Michael Jordan’s Iconic Jersey Breaks Record

It’s been over twenty years since Michael Jordan last played in the NBA, but his legacy continues to shine. Recently, a game-worn and autographed jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals—highlighted in the popular documentary “The Last Dance”—sold for an astonishing $14 million in a private sale. This transaction has now set a new record for the most expensive basketball memorabilia ever sold.

Hunt Auctions, based in Pennsylvania, disclosed this monumental sale on Monday, announcing that Ron Firman, a Miami real estate investor, is now the proud owner of the famous red Chicago Bulls jersey.

This jersey was worn during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, a game that took place on June 5, 1998, when the Bulls evened the series at 1-1. Chicago went on to secure its sixth championship in eight seasons, a feat that, I think, further cements Jordan’s status as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).

David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, remarked, “While Michael Jordan’s significance in the sports memorabilia market has been well-established, it has now escalated to an elite asset class more typically associated with iconic works of art.” It’s hard to argue that point.

The $14 million sale is notable not just for its record-breaking price, but it also ranks as the second-highest ever paid for a game-worn jersey across all sports. The only one that surpasses it is Babe Ruth’s famed “called shot” jersey, which went for a whopping $24.12 million in 2024.

But what’s even more astounding? This jersey marks the third one from the 1998 NBA Finals that has sold for at least $10 million. Jordan’s Game 1 jersey fetched around $10.1 million in 2022, while the Game 3 jersey sold for about $12.3 million just last month. Together, these three jerseys have garnered over $36 million from that single championship series alone.

As for the new owner, Firman kept his reaction pretty straightforward. “Michael Jordan was an incredibly talented player who is admired around the world. I’m very excited about the purchase.” Well, after spending $14 million, he certainly has a lot to be excited about!

Hunt Auctions mentioned that this jersey was originally acquired from the Bulls by a private collector in 2003 and has only changed hands once since then.

The fascination with Jordan’s final championship season isn’t limited to jerseys, either. In 2023, a pair of Air Jordans that he wore during Game 2 of those same Finals sold for $2.2 million, which at the time was a record for the most expensive sneakers ever sold.

It’s clear that even nearly 30 years after his unforgettable championship-winning shot against Utah, collectors still treasure the opportunity to own a piece of his legendary legacy.