A Michael Jordan jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals sold for a record $14 million in a private deal, marking the highest price ever for basketball memorabilia and the second-highest for any game-worn sports jersey, according to Hunt Auctions.
The red road jersey worn by Michael Jordan during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals, a key moment in his “Last Dance” season, was purchased by Miami real estate investor Ron Firman in a private sale.
A Legacy on the Court, A Price Tag Beyond Compare
Jordan’s Game 2 jersey, autographed and worn during Chicago’s 93-88 victory over the Utah Jazz, is now the second-most valuable game-worn sports jersey ever sold, trailing only Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series jersey, which fetched $24.12 million in 2024. The sale demonstrates Jordan’s status as a cultural icon, with David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, stating, While Michael Jordan’s importance within the sports memorabilia marketplace has long been established, it has now escalated to an elite asset class more typically reserved for iconic works of art.
Hunt Auctions expressed satisfaction with the sale, noting that the buyer, identified as sports memorabilia collector Ron Firman, originally of Rye, New York, conveyed his enthusiasm, stating, I’m very excited about the purchase.
Anything Jordan — and especially tied to the 1998 “Last Dance” season — is red hot on the memorabilia market.
The jersey’s chain of custody is well-documented, tracing back to its original purchase directly from the team in 2003. A 2003 letter from Jeff Schultz, the longtime director of community relations for the Chicago Bulls, attests to its authenticity. It is my opinion that this jersey is one of the finest examples of any game-worn jersey I have ever seen in my 15+ years of managing the Chicago Bulls memorabilia,
Schultz wrote. Authentication firms MeiGray and SIA verified the jersey’s use in Game 2 through photo matching, while Upper Deck confirmed Jordan’s signature.
A Collector’s Dream, A Market’s Benchmark
Firman, the buyer, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating, Michael Jordan was an incredibly talented player who is admired around the world.
Hunt Auctions emphasized the sale’s significance, noting that it sets a new benchmark for the memorabilia market. The record-setting price achieved for the related Michael Jordan jersey is yet another corroborative result as to the significance of Jordan within the industry and popular culture,
Hunt said, highlighting the crossover appeal of Jordan’s career, which has solidified his place alongside sports legends like Babe Ruth.
The 1998 Finals, chronicled in the acclaimed documentary The Last Dance, remains a defining chapter in Jordan’s career. This jersey, worn during that critical game, now stands as a symbol of Jordan’s enduring legacy. The sale also reflects the growing demand for items tied to the 1997-98 season, with three Jordan jerseys from the Finals now reported to have sold for at least $10 million each.
The Numbers Behind the Record
The sale, reported on October 12, 2026, marks the highest price ever for a basketball memorabilia item. Jordan wore the jersey on June 5, 1998, when the Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City to even the series at one game apiece. A different jersey, worn in Game 3, brought $12.26 million at auction last month.
The sale reinforces Jordan’s dominance in the sports memorabilia market, where his items consistently outpace those of other athletes. Hunt Auctions’ David Hunt noted, In our opinion, and 36 years of market experience, Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan stand above all others in the history of American sports.
This sentiment reflects the broader cultural impact of Jordan’s career, which has transcended basketball to become a global phenomenon.
- $14 million — Record price for a basketball memorabilia item, per Hunt Auctions.
- $24.12 million — Price for Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series jersey in 2024.
- $12.26 million — Previous high for a Jordan game-worn jersey, sold in September.
The auction house also noted that the jersey’s original purchase date and chain of ownership are well-documented. Hunt Auctions noted that the shirt has a direct chain of ownership tracing back to its original purchase from the team. The sale adds to a growing run of high-priced collectibles from Jordan’s final championship season in Chicago, with three Jordan jerseys from the 1998 Finals now reportedly selling for at least $10 million each.
