A jersey worn by basketball legend Michael Jordan during Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals is heading to a global online auction running from September 15 to 29, according to the auction house Joopiter. The rare white Chicago Bulls uniform is expected to command between $10 million and $15 million, though current owner and sports investor Rob Gough told the New York Post that valuations could climb as high as $100 million.
The Historical Significance of Jordan’s 1998 Finals Jersey
The upcoming auction features the only white jersey Jordan wore during a victory in the 1998 championship series against the Utah Jazz, a high-stakes matchup from the season known as “The Last Dance”. During that specific Game 3 contest, Jordan logged 32 minutes of playing time, recording 24 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block, according to CNEWS. The game resulted in a decisive 96-54 victory for Chicago, marking the largest margin of victory in NBA Finals history and drawing a peak television audience of 25 million viewers in the United States.
“C’est le genre d’objet que les collectionneurs attendent depuis toujours ; une pièce irremplaçable qui dépasse le cadre du basket-ball pour devenir un élément de l’histoire culturelle,” stated Caitlin Donovan, auction director, emphasizing the item’s broad cultural impact beyond sports.
Market Precedents for Michael Jordan Memorabilia
The auction follows record-breaking sales for items tied to the Chicago Bulls’ final championship run. In 2022, a red jersey worn by Jordan during Game 1 of the same 1998 NBA Finals sold for $10.1 million, setting a benchmark for basketball memorabilia. While that previous sale occurred after a Bulls loss, the upcoming Game 3 offering represents a rare white edition worn during a victory just before Jordan’s second retirement.
Gough, who purchased the jersey four years ago for an undisclosed sum, decided to part with the historic artifact after keeping it secured in a vault for two years. “À quoi bon être le gardien de quelque chose si c’est pour ne pas laisser les gens le voir et en profiter ?” Gough explained to the New York Post regarding his choice to release the item back into public view through the upcoming auction cycle.
Auction Details and Expected Timeline
Bidding for the historic Game 3 jersey will open globally on September 15 and close on September 29 through the Joopiter digital platform. While market analysts and auction representatives project a final sale price in the range between $10 million and $15 million, the speculative valuations reaching up to $100 million reflect the intense demand for premier cultural artifacts tied to Jordan’s final season with Chicago.
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