A game‑worn, autographed Michael Jordan road jersey from Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals has been sold in a private treaty for $14 million, setting a new record for basketball memorabilia. The sale was announced by Hunt Auctions, a Pennsylvania‑based auction house, which identified the buyer as Miami real‑estate investor Ron Firman.

Jersey details and historic context

The red Chicago Bulls jersey was worn by Jordan on June 5, 1998, when the Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz to even the series at one game apiece. The Bulls would go on to win the series in six games, securing Jordan’s sixth NBA championship and the final title of his Hall of Fame career. The 1997‑98 season was later chronicled in the ten‑episode documentary series “The Last Dance,” released in 2020.

Significance of the sale

David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, said the transaction demonstrates how Jordan’s memorabilia has moved from a niche market to an elite asset class typically reserved for iconic works of art. He added that the sale serves as a benchmark for the industry and highlights the growing demand for high‑profile sports collectibles.

The $14 million price is the second‑largest known amount paid for a game‑worn jersey, trailing only the $24.12 million paid in 2024 for Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series jersey. It also marks the third time a Jordan jersey from the 1998 Finals has fetched at least $10 million. A Game 1 jersey sold for about $10.1 million in 2022, and a Game 3 jersey fetched roughly $12.3 million last month.

Buyer’s perspective

In a news release distributed by the auction house, Firman praised Jordan’s global appeal, saying, “Michael Jordan was an incredibly talented player who is admired around the world. I’m very excited about the purchase.”

Provenance and prior sales

According to Hunt Auctions, the jersey was originally purchased from the Bulls by a private collector in 2003 and has remained in a succinct chain of custody, changing hands only once before Firman’s acquisition.

Interest in items from Jordan’s final championship season remains strong. In 2023, a pair of Air Jordan sneakers Jordan wore in Game 2 of the series sold at Sotheby’s for $2.2 million, setting a record for the most valuable sneakers ever sold at that time.

Market outlook

The sale underscores the robust market for iconic sports memorabilia, especially items tied to legendary athletes and historic moments. As collectors continue to seek tangible connections to defining events in sports history, auction houses anticipate further high‑value transactions in the coming years.

Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.