Michael Jordan, known as ‘His Airness,’ continues to break records despite not playing an NBA game for over two decades. A game-worn jersey he signed from the 1998 NBA Finals recently sold for $14 million, setting a new record for basketball memorabilia. This sale was announced by Pennsylvania-based Hunt Auctions, with Miami real estate investor Ron Firman becoming the proud owner of the iconic red Chicago Bulls jersey.
During Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz on June 5, Jordan wore this jersey as the Bulls tied the series 1-1. Chicago went on to win its sixth championship in eight seasons, securing Jordan’s legacy as one of the greatest players of all time. David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, emphasized Jordan’s status in the sports memorabilia market, comparing his memorabilia to elite works of art.
The $14 million price tag makes this jersey the second-highest sale for a game-worn jersey across all sports, surpassed only by Babe Ruth’s ‘called shot’ jersey, which sold for $24.12 million in 2024. Notably, this is the third Michael Jordan jersey from the 1998 Finals to reach over $10 million in sales. His Game 1 jersey sold for approximately $10.1 million in 2022, and his Game 3 jersey fetched about $12.3 million.
Firman, the latest buyer, expressed admiration for Jordan, reflecting the lasting appeal and value of owning a piece of basketball history. Beyond jerseys, Jordan’s influence continues; in 2023, a pair of Air Jordans worn in the same Finals sold for $2.2 million through Sotheby’s, a record at the time for sneakers.
Michael Jordan’s legacy in the memorabilia market remains strong as fans and collectors continually seek out pieces of his storied career. Even decades after his final championship-winning shot against Utah, the demand for his memorabilia shows no sign of diminishing.
Leave a Reply