A signed Chicago Bulls jersey worn by Michael Jordan during the 1998 NBA Finals has been sold for a record-setting $14 million, according to Hunt Auctions, based in Pennsylvania. This transaction marks the highest price ever paid for a piece of basketball memorabilia, as reported by Tim Reynolds from the Associated Press.
Read More
The buyer, Miami real estate investor Ron Firman, purchased the game-worn jersey that Jordan wore in Game 2 against the Utah Jazz, where he scored 37 points, helping the Bulls tie the series 1-1. The Chicago Bulls later won the NBA Finals in six games, giving Jordan his sixth championship title. The 1997-98 season was notably featured in the acclaimed 10-part documentary series "The Last Dance," released in 2020.
David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, remarked on the significance of Jordan's memorabilia, stating that it has reached a level of value typically associated with iconic art pieces. He expressed satisfaction in facilitating this historic sale, which establishes a new benchmark for the industry.
Jordan's memorabilia from the 1998 NBA Finals has proven to be extremely valuable to collectors. The jersey from Game 1 was sold for approximately $10.1 million in 2022, while the Game 3 jersey fetched nearly $12.3 million last month. Additionally, a pair of Air Jordan sneakers worn during Game 2 sold at Sotheby's for $2.2 million in 2023, previously setting a world record for sneakers.
Reynolds noted that the $14 million sale places Jordan's jersey as the second-highest known amount for a game-worn jersey, following the $24.12 million paid in 2024 for a Babe Ruth jersey from the 1932 World Series.
Firman expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, praising Jordan's remarkable talent and worldwide admiration.