Michael Jordan's 'Last Dance' Jersey Breaks Records with $12.3 Million Sale

A jersey famously worn by basketball icon Michael Jordan during the 1998 NBA Finals has been auctioned for an astonishing $12.3 million (approximately £9.3 million), establishing a fresh benchmark for memorabilia associated with the legendary player. This significant transaction was disclosed by BBC Sport on Thursday.

This particular Chicago Bulls uniform was donned by Jordan in Game 3 of the pivotal 1998 NBA Finals, a season widely celebrated as his 'Last Dance.' During this memorable series, Jordan spearheaded the Bulls to a dominant 4-2 triumph against the Utah Jazz, culminating in his sixth and ultimate NBA championship title. His exceptional performance also earned him the Finals Most Valuable Player award for the sixth occasion.

The recent auction price has eclipsed the prior highest sum for Jordan-related items, which was $10.1 million (about £7.6 million) for a jersey he wore in Game 1 of the same 1998 Finals. Entrepreneur Ryan Gough facilitated the sale via Joopiter, the online auction platform established by music mogul Pharrell Williams. Experts had projected the jersey would fetch between $10 million and $15 million.

In its official auction description, Joopiter lauded the item, stating, "Few objects in the history of sport embody greatness as completely as Michael Jordan’s game three jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals." The platform further elaborated on its significance: "Worn during the Last Dance… it marks the culmination of an era that transformed basketball into a global cultural phenomenon." The auction house concluded by asserting that the jersey "stands among the most important game-worn sports artifacts ever to come to market."

Collectibles linked to Michael Jordan consistently attract substantial bids at various auctions. For instance, his 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello recently fetched $2.7 million, quadrupling the prior auction record for that specific car model. However, even with this monumental sale, Jordan's jersey does not claim the title of the most expensive game-worn sports artifact ever. That prestigious honour rests with Babe Ruth’s jersey, connected to his legendary 'called shot' during the 1932 World Series, which commanded an astounding $24.1 million (approximately £18.2 million) when it was sold in 2024.