Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals Jersey Breaks Sales Records

Though Michael Jordan has not played in the NBA for more than two decades, his influence continues to break records. A game-worn, autographed Jordan jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals has sold for an astonishing $14 million in a private sale. This sale marks this jersey as the most expensive piece of basketball memorabilia ever sold.

Hunt Auctions, based in Pennsylvania, announced the sale, revealing Miami real estate investor Ron Firman as the new owner of the iconic red Chicago Bulls jersey. During the 1998 NBA Finals, Jordan wore this jersey in Game 2 against the Utah Jazz on June 5, 1998. This game saw the Bulls even the series at 1-1, leading to their sixth championship in eight seasons. This win further cemented Jordan’s status as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT).

“While Michael Jordan’s importance within the sports memorabilia marketplace has long been established, it has now escalated to an elite asset class more typically reserved for iconic works of art,” said David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions.

The $14 million sale is the second-highest known price ever paid for a game-worn jersey across all sports. Only Babe Ruth’s famous ‘called shot’ jersey from the 1932 World Series has fetched more, selling for $24.12 million in 2024. Furthermore, this is now the third Jordan jersey from the 1998 Finals to sell for at least $10 million, with his Game 1 jersey selling for about $10.1 million in 2022, and his Game 3 jersey fetching around $12.3 million last month.

The legendary appeal of Jordan’s final championship season extends beyond jerseys. In 2023, a pair of Air Jordans worn by him during Game 2 of the same Finals sold for $2.2 million through Sotheby’s. This price set a record at that time for the most expensive sneakers sold.

Jordan’s legacy continues to captivate collectors, who spend remarkable sums to own a piece of history. Despite retiring from basketball, Jordan’s impact in the memorabilia market remains unmatched and undefeated.