Michael Jordan’s ‘last dance’ jersey sells for record $12.3m – Report

Michael Jordan's iconic jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals has shattered records, selling for $12.3 million (£9.3 million) – a new peak for Jordan collectibles, according to BBC Sport. The Chicago Bulls jersey was donned by the legendary player during Game 3 of the 1998 Finals, a pivotal series that crowned the Bulls as NBA champions.

Jordan's leadership sealed the victory with a 4-2 triumph over the Utah Jazz, marking his sixth and final NBA championship. He also earned his sixth Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. The sale eclipses the previous Jordan record, $10.1 million paid for his Game 1 jersey from the same Finals. The jersey was auctioned by entrepreneur Ryan Gough via Joopiter, a digital platform founded by Pharrell Williams, with estimates ranging from $10 to $15 million.

Joopiter described the item as embodying basketball greatness. NBA President begins efforts to unite stakeholders. The jersey, worn during the "Last Dance," represents the transformation of basketball into a global cultural phenomenon. The auction house emphasized the jersey's significance as one of the most important game-worn sports artifacts ever to hit the market.

Jordan's memorabilia remains highly sought after, with his 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello recently fetching $2.7 million, quadrupling its prior auction record. Despite this latest sale, Babe Ruth's jersey, linked to his legendary "called shot" in the 1932 World Series, remains the most expensive game-worn sports item, selling for $24.1 million (£18.2 million) in 2024.

Gilbert Ekugbe, a journalist at Punch Newspapers, covered this story, bringing expertise in business and economic affairs to inform readers about this landmark moment in sports memorabilia history.