Michael Jordan jersey sells for $14 million, setting basketball memorabilia record

A game-worn, autographed Michael Jordan jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals was sold for $14 million, according to Hunt Auctions. The auction house announced the private sale, noting it is the highest price ever paid for basketball memorabilia.

The jersey, which Jordan wore in Game 2 of the series on June 5, 1998, was purchased by Miami real estate investor Ron Firman. Jordan and the Chicago Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz that night to even the series at one game apiece.

The Bulls went on to win the series in six games, marking Jordan’s sixth and final NBA title. The 1997-98 season was the focus of the 10-episode documentary series 'Last Dance,' released in 2020.

David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, stated that the sale reflects the growing value of Jordan’s memorabilia in the marketplace. He noted the $14 million price is the second-highest known for a game-worn jersey, behind a Babe Ruth jersey sold for $24.12 million in 2024.

This sale marks the third time a Jordan jersey from the 1998 finals has sold for at least $10 million. A Game 1 jersey was sold for about $10.1 million in 2022, and a Game 3 jersey was auctioned last month for about $12.3 million.

Firman expressed excitement about the purchase in a news release. The jersey was originally acquired by a private collector in 2003 and has remained in a limited chain of custody, having changed hands only once since then.