Historic record in the collectibles market: A red jersey worn by Michael Jordan in the 1998 NBA Finals was sold for $14 million

A red jersey worn by Michael Jordan during the 1998 NBA Finals, contested by the Chicago Bulls against the Utah Jazz, was sold for $14 million, setting a new record for a basketball collectible. The transaction was announced Monday by the American auction house Hunt Auctions.

The jersey, bearing the number 23, was worn by Jordan in the second game of the Finals. An American real estate developer paid the record sum for the Chicago Bulls legend’s garment.

The previous record had been set just last month, when another Jordan jersey, this time white and worn in the third game of the same Finals, sold for $12.26 million.

In 2022, the red jersey worn by Jordan in the first game of the 1998 Finals was auctioned for $10.1 million. The 1997–1998 season was the basketball player’s last with the Chicago Bulls and is featured in the documentary “The Last Dance.” Jordan led the team to six NBA titles between 1991 and 1998.

The absolute record for a sports item belongs to a jersey worn by Babe Ruth, sold in 2024 for $24.12 million.