Jordan Finals jersey sets basketball memorabilia record
A Michael Jordan jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals has sold for $14m (£10.6m), setting a record for basketball memorabilia. Jordan wore it in Game 2 of the Finals and scored 37 points. The buyer was Miami real estate investor Ron Firman in a private sale through Hunt Auctions.
The 1998 Finals Game 2 jersey was worn by Jordan as he scored 37 points, the most in that game. His Bulls then closed out the series 4-2, giving him a sixth NBA title and sixth Finals MVP award. The autographed item now ranks behind only Babe Ruth's 1932 World Series jersey, which brought $24.1m in 2024.
The prior basketball memorabilia high was a 2007-08 Jordan/Kobe Bryant card at $12.9m. Just two weeks earlier, an unsigned Jordan jersey from Game 3 of the same Finals fetched $12.3m at auction. Miami investor Ron Firman bought the Game 2 jersey privately through Hunt Auctions.
This sale may push elite sports memorabilia further toward investment asset status, potentially drawing wealthier buyers and raising prices for historic items. Fans and museums could find such pieces harder to access, while auction houses and owners may see greater attention. It might also reinforce Jordan's cultural and commercial legacy, though broader social effects are likely limited to collecting and sports heritage circles.