Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, but even legends have moments when they are outshined. One such moment came when rookie Allen Iverson famously crossed over Jordan, and now the jersey Jordan wore during that unforgettable game is up for auction.
Later this month, Sotheby’s will present five pieces of Jordan memorabilia during the “Colossal | The Ultimate Jordan Collection” sale. The centerpiece of the auction is a game-worn jersey from the Chicago Bulls' 1996-97 championship season, expected to sell for between $4 million and $6 million.
The jersey is from an era where Jordan’s game-worn memorabilia is increasingly rare, as explained by Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles. “The population of pre-‘Last Dance’ jerseys is remarkably slim, with single-game jerseys from this era rarely appearing on the market,” Wachter noted. “Jordan often wore the same jersey for extended periods of time in this era, making them exceptionally rare and coveted. This jersey from the 1996-1997 season is truly a unicorn.”
The jersey being auctioned is one of just two red jerseys Jordan wore during that season. It has been authenticated by MeiGray and photo-matched to 17 games across five months, during which Jordan averaged an impressive 31.1 points per game, totaling 528 points. Most notably, he wore it on March 12, 1997, when Allen Iverson, then a rookie, famously crossed over Jordan—a moment that remains iconic in NBA history.
Since it was sold by the Chicago Bulls, the jersey has remained in private collections. Unlike many Jordan memorabilia items that often change hands among players, family members, friends, or fans, the history of this jersey has a clear lineage, which will continue when it goes up for auction online from October 23 to November 4.
In addition to the iconic jersey, Sotheby’s sale will also feature other Jordan items sure to catch collectors' attention. This includes a signed American flag from the 1992 Olympics, which Jordan famously draped over himself during the gold medal ceremony to cover up the Reebok logo on his jacket—honoring his commitment to Nike. Another highlight is Jordan’s home jersey from the 1988-89 season, expected to fetch more than $2 million.
The upcoming auction is poised to honor Michael Jordan’s legacy in the basketball world, with a collection of items that reflect the career of the GOAT in spectacular fashion.