A piece of basketball history commanded an unprecedented price this week when Michael Jordan’s game-worn, autographed Chicago Bulls jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals sold for £10.6 million ($14 million) in a private sale, establishing a new record for basketball memorabilia.
The jersey, which Jordan wore during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals, represents the pinnacle of his iconic “Last Dance” championship season with the Bulls. The historic sale was facilitated through Hunt Auctions, with Ron Firman, a Miami real-estate investor, acquiring the piece through the specialized auction house.
Elite Status Among Sports Artifacts
The staggering valuation underscores Jordan’s unparalleled significance in the sports memorabilia marketplace. According to David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, the sale represents a fundamental shift in how the basketball legend’s items are perceived: “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,” Hunt stated.
The $14 million price tag positions the Jordan jersey among the most valuable sports items ever sold, though it remains below the record set by Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series jersey, which fetched $24.1 million in 2024. Nevertheless, the sale demonstrates the extraordinary demand for artifacts connected to Jordan’s final championship run and his unmatched legacy in professional basketball.
The 1998 season holds particular significance for both the athlete and collectors, as it marked the conclusion of the Bulls’ dynasty and Jordan’s last season before his initial retirement from the NBA. The combination of the championship-winning context, the specific Finals game, and Jordan’s autograph contributed to the jersey’s record-breaking valuation in the competitive memorabilia market.