A game-worn Michael Jordan jersey from the Chicago Bulls’ 1996-97 season has sold for $4.68 million via Sotheby’s. The Bulls jersey was worn in at least 17 games during the season, including the game in which Philadelphia 76ers rookie guard Allen Iverson crossed over Jordan.
1996-97 Chicago Bulls game-worn Michael Jordan jersey is the fourth-most expensive NBA jersey of all time
According to the Sotheby’s listing, Jordan wore the jersey across five months from December of 1996 to April of 1997. In the 12 seasons prior to 1997-98, MeiGray had examined 130 jerseys purported to be worn by Jordan.
However, only four jerseys have proven to be authentic by MeiGray. This is one of those jerseys.
More importantly, it’s the fourth-most expensive NBA jersey of all time behind Jordan’s $10.1 million “Last Dance” jersey; a signed Kobe Bryant jersey worn in his lone MVP season in 2007-08 which sold for just over $5.8 million; and a 1972 NBA Finals jersey worn by Wilt Chamberlain during the Los Angeles Lakers’ first NBA title run ($4.9 million).
All jerseys were sold via Sotheby’s. The 1996-97 Jordan red jersey is also the only MeiGray Authenticated red jersey from Jordan’s first five championship seasons.
An auction spokesperson is calling it “the finest Away-Red Michael Jordan jersey that has ever surfaced at market.”
Bulls jersey was one of five lots from Sotheby’s “Colossal | The Ultimate Jordan Collection” auction
Per Sotheby’s, the “jersey has remained in private hands since its sale from the team.” The jersey was one of five lots from Sotheby’s “Colossal | The Ultimate Jordan Collection” auction.
The five memorabilia items include a game-worn and signed jersey from Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs during the 1998 “Last Dance” season (sold for $840,000); a University of North Carolina practice set of jersey and signed sneakers ($132,000); a set of game-used jersey and shorts from the 1988-89 season, including playoffs ($1.08 million); and a 1992 Summer Olympics “Dream Team”-signed American flag ($1.8 million) worn during the gold medal ceremony.
Overall, the Jordan auction totaled $8.5 million. The “Dream Team” American flag prompted a bidding war of 45 bids, per ESPN’s Dan Hajducky. “His Airness” would cover the Reebok logo with the flag out of loyalty to Nike.
In a full 82-game season, Jordan averaged 29.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 37.9 minutes per contest while shooting 48.6% from the field, 37.4% from 3-point range, and 83.3% at the free throw line.
That season, he was named to the All-Defensive First Team for the eighth time, to the All-NBA First Team for the ninth time, earned his 11th All-Star selection, and won his ninth scoring title.
