Michael Jordan’s jersey from the opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals became the most expensive sports memorabilia in history, selling for more than $10 million at auction on Thursday, September 15.
A previous record was set at Sotheby’s earlier this year when Argentinian football star Diego his Maradona ‘Hand of God’ jersey sold for a whopping $9.3 million.
An autographed basketball jersey worn by Kobe Bryant during the 1996–97 season held the previous record for a game-worn jersey. According to Sotheby’s, Bryant’s signed rookie jersey sold for $3.7 million.
“In the weeks since we announced the auction, there’s been palpable excitement from not only sports fans, but collectors alike who are eager to own a rarefied piece of history,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Streetwear and Modern Collectables.
“Yet again, today’s record-breaking result… solidifies Michael Jordan as the undisputed GOAT (Greatest of All Time), proving his name and incomparable legacy is just as relevant as it was nearly 25 years ago.”
It also broke Jordan’s record for all sports memorabilia after his autographed 1997 to 1998 relic card sold for $2.7 million.
The jersey from the famous “Last Dance” season, also the title of the 2020 ESPN/Netflix documentary that follows Jordan and the Chicago Bulls as they chase to win their sixth NBA championship in eight years, attracted 20 bids.
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