A Michael Jordan road jersey worn during the 1998 NBA Finals has been sold in a private transaction for $14 million, marking the highest price ever paid for basketball memorabilia. The sale was announced by Hunt Auctions, a Pennsylvania-based auction house, with the buyer identified as Ron Firman, a real estate investor from Miami. The jersey, in red, was worn by Jordan in Game 2 of the series on June 5, 1998, where the Chicago Bulls triumphed over the Utah Jazz.
The victory in the 1998 NBA Finals marked the sixth championship win for Jordan and the Bulls, culminating his illustrious Hall of Fame career. The significance of Jordan’s memorabilia has now reached a level akin to renowned works of art, according to David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions. This historic sale sets a new milestone in the sports memorabilia market.
The $14 million price tag places this jersey as the second most expensive game-worn jersey ever sold, following the $24.12 million paid for Babe Ruth’s jersey from the 1932 World Series. Notably, this is the third time a Jordan jersey from the 1998 finals has fetched over $10 million, with previous sales reaching $10.1 million and $12.3 million.
Firman expressed his excitement about the purchase, acknowledging Michael Jordan’s global admiration and exceptional talent. The jersey was originally acquired from the Bulls by a private collector in 2003 and has since passed through a limited chain of custody, changing hands only once.
Items associated with Jordan’s final season with the Bulls, particularly the 1998 finals, have garnered immense interest among collectors. In a previous auction, a pair of Air Jordan sneakers worn by Jordan during Game 2 against the Jazz sold for $2.2 million, setting a new record for the highest-priced sneakers ever sold.
