A handful of Michael Jordan memorabilia has sold for millions.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, a jersey worn by the former Chicago Bulls star during a 45-point game in the 1996-1997 season sold for $4.7 million at auction. This met expectations, as the auction house Sotheby’s had projected it would sell for between $4 million and $6 million.
“One of the finest Michael Jordan jerseys ever to come to auction, MJ wore this road-red jersey for 5 months and 17 games during the Chicago Bulls legendary 1996-1997 championship season,” Sotheby’s commented on Instagram.
Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles, commented to the Chicago Sun-Times:
“This jersey symbolizes not just Michael Jordan at the height of his celebrity and prowess, but also a pivotal moment in basketball history. Today’s results highlight the enduring strength of the game-worn market, especially those pieces associated with Michael Jordan’s greatness.”
The jersey was not the only piece of memorabilia to put up impressive numbers at Sotheby’s auction. Other items sold included an American flag carried by Jordan during the Dream Team’s victory at the 1992 Olympics as he covered the Reebok logo on his jersey, a rival of his sponsor Nike. The flag was signed by Jordan and teammates Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Christian Laettner, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, and John Stockton and sold for $1.8 million.
A 1988-1989 home jersey sold for around $1.1 million; a 1998 autographed playoff jersey from “The Last Dance” season sold for $840,000; and an autographed practice jersey and sneakers from his time at the University of North Carolina, together, sold for $132,000.
In total, the collectibles were auctioned off for $8.5 million.
Items tied to Jordan have always been in demand at auction. In fact, the basketball legend holds the record for the most expensive pair of sneakers ever sold at auction. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the Air Jordan 13 “Bred,” worn during the 1998 NBA Finals, hit the auction block on April 3, 2023, and sold for $2.2 million.
Reflecting on the feat, Wachter mentioned at the time, “Sotheby’s is extremely proud to hold the world record for most valuable game-worn sports memorabilia at auction and the most valuable sneakers ever sold, both of which — to no surprise — are directly tied to the global icon, Michael Jordan.”