Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey fetches record $14m

A basketball jersey worn and autographed by Michael Jordan during the Chicago Bulls’ 1998 NBA Finals campaign has been sold privately for $14 million, setting a new record for basketball memorabilia.

Pennsylvania-based Hunt Auctions announced the sale on Monday, identifying Miami property investor Ron Firman as the buyer, Associated Press reported.

The red Bulls road jersey was worn by Jordan during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz on 5 June, when Chicago secured a victory to level the series at one game apiece.

The Bulls went on to win the championship in six games, securing Jordan’s sixth and final NBA title.

The 1997-98 season later became the subject of the acclaimed 10-part documentary series The Last Dance, released in 2020, which chronicled Jordan’s final championship campaign with Chicago.

David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, said Jordan’s significance in the sports memorabilia market had reached a level more commonly associated with valuable works of art.

He described the sale as another benchmark for the industry, reflecting the increasing investment value attached to historically significant sporting artefacts.

The $14 million transaction is the highest known price paid for basketball memorabilia and the second-highest for a game-worn sports jersey.

The overall record remains the $24.12 million paid in 2024 for a New York Yankees jersey worn by baseball legend Babe Ruth during his celebrated “called shot” home run against the Chicago Cubs in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series.

Jordan’s latest memorabilia record highlights the growing market for rare sporting collectibles, particularly items associated with defining moments in the careers of internationally recognised athletes.