Jordan's 'Last Dance' jersey sells for $14M record

Michael Jordan’s iconic red road jersey from Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals has sold for $14 million in a private treaty sale, setting a new record for basketball memorabilia ^[1]. The game-worn, autographed jersey was worn during the Bulls’ victory over the Utah Jazz, a game in which Jordan scored 37 points ^[2]. The sale, facilitated by Pennsylvania-based Hunt Auctions, marks the highest price ever paid for a single piece of basketball memorabilia ^[3].

The buyer, identified as Miami real estate investor Ron Firman, acquired the jersey in a private transaction ^[1]. This is not the first time a 1998 Finals jersey has fetched top dollar — a Game 1 jersey sold for $10.1 million in 2022, and a Game 3 jersey sold for $12.3 million last month ^[3].

The 1998 season was Jordan’s final with the Bulls, dubbed the 'Last Dance' after the 2020 documentary series ^[3]. He led the team to their sixth and final championship, earning Finals MVP honors for the sixth straight year ^[2].

While this sale sets a new high for basketball items, it still falls short of the $24.12 million paid in 2024 for Babe Ruth’s 'called shot' jersey from the 1932 World Series — the most expensive sports memorabilia ever sold ^[1].

David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, said Jordan’s memorabilia has now become an 'elite asset class,' comparable to iconic works of art ^[3]. The jersey was originally purchased by a private collector in 2003 and has remained in a tight chain of custody.

The sale underscores the enduring cultural and financial value of Jordan’s legacy, especially around the 1998 Finals, which continues to captivate collectors worldwide ^[3]. The story was first reported by New York Post and BBC News. One source, ABC News (AU), reported that the jersey sold for $20 million, but this claim has not been confirmed ^[4].