Michael Jordan 1998 Finals Jersey Sells for Record $14 Million
A signed Michael Jordan jersey from Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals has sold for a record $14 million at a Hunt Auctions event, becoming the most expensive basketball collectible in history.
The sports memorabilia industry continues to shatter its own economic ceilings, anchored by the legendary Michael Jordan, who turns every item he touched into gold.
Record-Breaking Sale at Auction
In a historic auction organized by the American auction house Hunt Auctions, a new global record was set when a signed game-worn jersey of Jordan sold for a staggering $14 million. This is the highest price ever paid for a basketball collectible.
The buyer behind this high-profile purchase is Miami real estate investor Ron Firman. The acquired item is the red Chicago Bulls jersey worn by Jordan on June 5, 1998, during Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz.
In that game, Chicago won and tied the series 1-1, on their way to winning in six games and hoisting Jordan's sixth and final NBA championship trophy—a season etched in history known as The Last Dance.
Jordan was an incredibly talented player who is admired all over the world. I am very excited about the purchase, Firman said following his win.
The Booming Market for Jordan Memorabilia
According to auction house data, the shirt was originally purchased from the Bulls in 2003 by a private collector and had changed hands only once before being sold to Firman. While the $14 million price tag sets a new record, the market for Jordan memorabilia has experienced a meteoric rise in recent years, largely thanks to the success of Netflix's 2020 docuseries.
For example, in September 2022, a Jordan jersey from Game 1 of the same 1998 Finals series sold at a Sotheby's auction for $10.1 million. In October 2026, about two weeks before the current sale, a Jordan jersey from Game 3 of that same series sold for approximately $12.3 million.
Additionally, the Air Jordan 13 sneakers he wore in Game 2 of the 1998 Finals previously sold at auction for about $2.2 million—the highest price ever paid for game-worn sneakers.
A Legacy Beyond the Hardwood
Michael Jordan, 63, is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player in history, but his impact extends far beyond the court. Throughout his career in the 1980s and 1990s, Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships, winning five regular-season MVP awards and six Finals MVP awards. He transformed the NBA from a local U.S. competition into a global cultural phenomenon.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Jordan is an unprecedented economic engine. His historic partnership with Nike and the launch of the Jordan Brand sub-brand created an empire generating billions of dollars a year, making him the richest athlete in history.
Today, Jordan is a businessman and philanthropist. Until 2023, he held majority ownership of the Charlotte Hornets NBA team, which he sold for an estimated valuation of about $3 billion while retaining a minority stake. In addition, he is a co-owner of the 23XI Racing NASCAR team, invests in technology and startup companies, and donates hundreds of millions of dollars to educational institutions, hospitals, and the sports community.
