NBA4 hours ago2 minute read

Michael Jordan 1998 Finals Jersey Sells For Record 12.2 Million

A game worn Michael Jordan jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals has sold at auction for a record breaking 12.26 million dollars.

The EagleEyeOdds deskWritten from the match data, checked against our model before it goes out

A Historic Sale

Michael Jordan's legendary status has reached another peak in the sports memorabilia market. A jersey worn by Jordan during Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals sold at auction on Tuesday for a record breaking 12,260,000 dollars. This massive sale sets a new record for an NBA jersey.

The previous record belonged to another Jordan jersey from Game 1 of that same 1998 series. That piece sold for 10.1 million dollars in September 2022. This latest jersey was sold by Rob Gough through Joopiter, an online marketplace curated by Pharrell Williams. The item was expected to bring in between 10 million and 15 million dollars, and it closed after receiving a single bid.

The Jersey's Path to Auction

The red Chicago Bulls jersey is highly detailed. It features an NBA Finals logo patch on the top right chest, mesh material, and an NBA Authentics tag with the size 50 tag on the bottom left. The item was registered in August, authenticated in December 2015, and matched to photos from the game.

Before Gough purchased the jersey in 2023, it belonged to a Chicago resident named Bill Thoma. Thoma bought it around eight or nine years before 2015 from Evan LaManna of Upper Class Collectibles in New Jersey. LaManna reportedly obtained the jersey from a 'close associate' of the Bulls legend.

Jordan's Dominant Game 3

Jordan wore this specific jersey during a dominant night. In Game 3 of the 1998 Finals, Jordan scored 24 points, grabbed three rebounds, and added two assists. The Bulls blew out the Utah Jazz 96-54 in that game to help Chicago advance to a 2-1 series lead.

Chicago went on to win the series in six games, securing Jordan's sixth NBA championship. He announced his second retirement shortly after on January 13, 1999.

What it means for the next game

The Bulls are back in action soon, and our model has the latest projections for their upcoming matchups.

Phoenix Suns at Chicago Bulls (NBA, Thu, 08 Oct): Chicago Bulls win 37%, Phoenix Suns win 63%; projected score Chicago Bulls 113, Phoenix Suns 117. Our safest pick: Bulls +11.5.

Memphis Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls (NBA, Sat, 10 Oct): Chicago Bulls win 58%, Memphis Grizzlies win 42%; projected score Chicago Bulls 121, Memphis Grizzlies 118. Our safest pick: Grizzlies +11.5.