Michael Jordan 1998 NBA Finals Jersey Sells For Record $12.26 Million
A jersey worn by American basketball legend Michael Jordan during the 1998 NBA Finals has sold at auction for $12.26 million, setting a new all-time record for any basketball jersey from the league, according to reporting by ESPN. The sale eclipsed the previous benchmark set just two years prior.
The Chicago Bulls Jersey From Game 3
The record-breaking item is the jersey Jordan wore during the third game of the 1998 NBA Finals in his final season with the Chicago Bulls. During that specific matchup against the Utah Jazz, Jordan scored 24 points to help lead the Bulls to a dominant 96-54 victory. Between 1991 and 1998, the Bulls captured six NBA championships under Jordan’s leadership.
Digital Auction House Joopiter Facilitates The Sale
The sale of the jersey bearing Jordan’s iconic number 23 was handled by Joopiter, a digital auction house founded by musician Pharrell Williams. Promotional material on the auction site captured the historical significance of the garment, stating, “Nur wenige Objekte in der Sportgeschichte verkörpern Größe so vollkommen wie Michael Jordans Trikot aus Spiel 3 der NBA-Finals 1998”. Previous high-value memorabilia sales associated with Jordan include sneakers, a basketball hoop, and an authentic employment contract.
Surpassing The 2022 NBA Finals Record
The $12.26 million final bid (approximately 10.8 million euros) comfortably outpaced the previous record holder for a game-worn NBA jersey. That prior mark was set in 2022 when Jordan’s jersey from Game 1 of the same 1998 final series fetched $10.1 million. Across professional sports auctions, memorabilia tied to Jordan’s championship runs with Chicago continue to command historic figures among global collectors.
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