Michael JORDAN (born in 1963)
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Sport Basketball Sport uniform Basketball jersey Textiles Sport equipment Sport cards 1940-92 Modern sport cards Olympic Games
Chronology : 1998
See also : Sport Basketball Sport uniform Basketball jersey Textiles Sport equipment Sport cards 1940-92 Modern sport cards Olympic Games
Chronology : 1998
Intro
Michael Jordan played college basketball in the NCAA championship for North Carolina Tar Heels for three seasons, from 1981 to 1984, with No. 23. He was named NCAA champion in 1982 and National College Player of the year in 1984. He returned to North Carolina in 1986 to complete his degrees.
A game used jersey from the 1982-1983 season has been photo matched with the cover page of The Sporting News on March 28, 1983 where he was highlighted as Player of the Year, aged 20. It was sold for $ 1.38M by Heritage on May 8, 2021, lot 82169.
Michael Jordan begins his NBA career in 1984 with the Chicago Bulls. From the first weeks, he is considered as one of the greatest basketball players of all time by his success in the basket and his aerial jumps.
Jordan was first equipped in the pre-season with the newly released Nike Air Ship sneakers.
Jordan's success leads to an offer from Nike to design custom sneakers for him. The champion is assisted by the sports agent David Falk, a specialist in trade promotions for NBA players.
From September, Jordan is also equipped with a pair of commercial Nike Air Ship sneakers in the colors of the Bulls, black and red. The NBA bans this non-compliant color scheme on October 18 just before the opening of the season.
An NBA compliant Air Ship pair in white and red was sold for $ 1.47M by Sotheby's on October 24, 2021, lot 23. They are the earliest known NBA game used sneakers of Michael Jordan who presented them to a ball boy of the Denver Nuggets after a game on November 1. They are in size 13 while the matching Jordan measurement should be 13.5 for the right foot.
A game used jersey from the 1982-1983 season has been photo matched with the cover page of The Sporting News on March 28, 1983 where he was highlighted as Player of the Year, aged 20. It was sold for $ 1.38M by Heritage on May 8, 2021, lot 82169.
Michael Jordan begins his NBA career in 1984 with the Chicago Bulls. From the first weeks, he is considered as one of the greatest basketball players of all time by his success in the basket and his aerial jumps.
Jordan was first equipped in the pre-season with the newly released Nike Air Ship sneakers.
Jordan's success leads to an offer from Nike to design custom sneakers for him. The champion is assisted by the sports agent David Falk, a specialist in trade promotions for NBA players.
From September, Jordan is also equipped with a pair of commercial Nike Air Ship sneakers in the colors of the Bulls, black and red. The NBA bans this non-compliant color scheme on October 18 just before the opening of the season.
An NBA compliant Air Ship pair in white and red was sold for $ 1.47M by Sotheby's on October 24, 2021, lot 23. They are the earliest known NBA game used sneakers of Michael Jordan who presented them to a ball boy of the Denver Nuggets after a game on November 1. They are in size 13 while the matching Jordan measurement should be 13.5 for the right foot.
1984 Rookie Road Jersey
2025 SOLD for $ 4.2M by Sotheby's
Michael Jordan begins his NBA career in 1984 with the Chicago Bulls.
A road jersey bearing his number 23 was photo-matched by MeiGray with a video footage to the first NBA game played by Jordan, on October 5, 1984.
It also has been photo-matched by SIA to Jordan's 2nd NBA game on October 7, 1984 and by MeiGray to his 3rd NBA game on October 13, 1984. MeiGray stated that they "believe that this is the first jersey Michael Jordan ever wore while playing in the NBA."
It was sold for $ 4.2M by Sotheby's on March 26, 2025, lot 1. It has been signed by Jordan. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
A road jersey bearing his number 23 was photo-matched by MeiGray with a video footage to the first NBA game played by Jordan, on October 5, 1984.
It also has been photo-matched by SIA to Jordan's 2nd NBA game on October 7, 1984 and by MeiGray to his 3rd NBA game on October 13, 1984. MeiGray stated that they "believe that this is the first jersey Michael Jordan ever wore while playing in the NBA."
It was sold for $ 4.2M by Sotheby's on March 26, 2025, lot 1. It has been signed by Jordan. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
1986 Fleer Sealed Case
2020 SOLD for $ 1.8M by Collect Auctions
Despite NBA support, the basketball cards had fallen into disuse. Topps had abandoned this sport after the 1981-82 season. The series released in 1986 for the 1986-87 season by Fleer, the maker of bubble gum, is a resurrection. It consists of 132 cards and 11 stickers. For retail, Fleer offered packs of 12 random-inserted cards and one sticker, not to forget the bubble gum. For wholesale, Fleer assembled boxes of 36 packs and cases of 12 boxes.
Because of this hiatus, many young players had not yet had a regular trading card and their 1986 Fleer is considered by collectors as their rookie card. They include Michael Jordan who had begun his NBA career in 1984.
In 2020 Jordan's fame is at its peak, driven by the success of the television documentary series named The Last Dance. Collectors are flocking to his rookie card, although it is not uncommon including about 300 cards graded Gem Mint.
On August 6, 2020, Collect Auctions sold a factory sealed case for $ 1.8M, lot 31. The lot therefore contains 5,184 cards and 432 stickers which have not been handled after their packaging. Statistically, bidders can thus hope to find therein in as new condition 39 cards and 39 stickers of the Jordan rookie.
The Fleer rookie card of Michael Jordan is not rare. It was pulled from 50 cent packs at the time of issue. In May 2021, the grades higher than Mint 9 had been reached by more than 520 cards at Beckett (6 at Pristine 10 and 514 at 9.5), 300 graded 10 at PSA and 20 graded 10 at SGC.
Two cards graded GEM MT 10 by PSA were sold for $ 720K each by Goldin on January 30, 2021, lot 12 and lot 27. Such a high price was not reached again in the next few months on the PSA 10, with two results at $ 600K each at Goldin in February and March 2021.
Because of this hiatus, many young players had not yet had a regular trading card and their 1986 Fleer is considered by collectors as their rookie card. They include Michael Jordan who had begun his NBA career in 1984.
In 2020 Jordan's fame is at its peak, driven by the success of the television documentary series named The Last Dance. Collectors are flocking to his rookie card, although it is not uncommon including about 300 cards graded Gem Mint.
On August 6, 2020, Collect Auctions sold a factory sealed case for $ 1.8M, lot 31. The lot therefore contains 5,184 cards and 432 stickers which have not been handled after their packaging. Statistically, bidders can thus hope to find therein in as new condition 39 cards and 39 stickers of the Jordan rookie.
The Fleer rookie card of Michael Jordan is not rare. It was pulled from 50 cent packs at the time of issue. In May 2021, the grades higher than Mint 9 had been reached by more than 520 cards at Beckett (6 at Pristine 10 and 514 at 9.5), 300 graded 10 at PSA and 20 graded 10 at SGC.
Two cards graded GEM MT 10 by PSA were sold for $ 720K each by Goldin on January 30, 2021, lot 12 and lot 27. Such a high price was not reached again in the next few months on the PSA 10, with two results at $ 600K each at Goldin in February and March 2021.
1992 Olympic Games
1
Jersey
2023 SOLD for $ 3M by Goldin
Amateurism had been the cornerstone of the Olympic Games. Things changed after 1984 as an opposition to the Soviet practice of training full time amateurs. At the Seoul Games in 1988 professionals were authorized to play tennis. Basketball was won by the Soviets amidst the Cold War with the USA achieving a disappointing bronze.
The US basketball was convinced to present a professional team at Barcelona in 1992. 11 players were selected by the NBA and one place was left to an amateur as a reminder to the obsoleted rules.
The NBA had at that time the most talented basketball players in the world. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were selected as co-captains. The Olympic number of Michael Jordan was the 9 instead of his usual 23 within the NBA.
The result was astonishing with all games won in a mean difference of 44 points. The then nicknamed Dream Team was collectively awarded many honors.
The semifinal was won 127-76 against Lithuania. At that time basketball equipment was not considered as sports relics. After the game the 12 jerseys had been thrown on the floor. The wife of Karl Malone, one of the twelve, picked them, simply. The Malones had them signed by the respective player and collected a pair of sneakers from any of them, worn in various other games from the same Olympics.
The whole collection treasured by Malone in plain sight in his car dealership in Utah will be sold by Goldin on May 25, 2023. Nine jerseys are photo-matched. Jordan's jersey was sold for $ 3M, lot 1.
In the same sale, the pair of sneakers game worn by Jordan was sold for $ 420K, lot 2. This specific Nike Air Jordan (Jumpman) pair is photo-matched with the game against Puerto-Rico in the Pre-Olympic Tournament of the Americas. USA won 119-81.
The US basketball was convinced to present a professional team at Barcelona in 1992. 11 players were selected by the NBA and one place was left to an amateur as a reminder to the obsoleted rules.
The NBA had at that time the most talented basketball players in the world. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were selected as co-captains. The Olympic number of Michael Jordan was the 9 instead of his usual 23 within the NBA.
The result was astonishing with all games won in a mean difference of 44 points. The then nicknamed Dream Team was collectively awarded many honors.
The semifinal was won 127-76 against Lithuania. At that time basketball equipment was not considered as sports relics. After the game the 12 jerseys had been thrown on the floor. The wife of Karl Malone, one of the twelve, picked them, simply. The Malones had them signed by the respective player and collected a pair of sneakers from any of them, worn in various other games from the same Olympics.
The whole collection treasured by Malone in plain sight in his car dealership in Utah will be sold by Goldin on May 25, 2023. Nine jerseys are photo-matched. Jordan's jersey was sold for $ 3M, lot 1.
In the same sale, the pair of sneakers game worn by Jordan was sold for $ 420K, lot 2. This specific Nike Air Jordan (Jumpman) pair is photo-matched with the game against Puerto-Rico in the Pre-Olympic Tournament of the Americas. USA won 119-81.
2
the US Flag on Jordan's Shoulder
2024 SOLD for $ 1.8M by Sotheby's
The coming of professionalism into the Olympic Games generated new sorts of incidents involving trade marks.
Michael Jordan was the natural leader of the US basketball team, not without reluctance. He did not accept being the captain, for reason of official visibility.
The awarding of the gold medal to the Dream Team made Jordan furious. Reebok was a major sponsor of the Games and required some visibility to their brand as a feedback. The Executive Director of the United States Olympic Committee stated that no medal reception was possible unless the player wore a Reebok jacket during the ceremony. Jordan felt that constraint as a disloyalty against his career long business partner Nike.
Jordan wore the Reebok jacket but used safety pins to hide the Reebok logo. As an additional precaution he draped the right side of the garment in a US flag. After the ceremony he loudly claimed that he did not want the jacket and tossed it to the NBA Public Relations executive, to whom he dedicated and signed it at some time.
Coming from the collection of that NBA officer, the one of a kind Reebok jacket of Michael Jordan was sold for $ 1.5M by Sotheby's on June 28, 2023, lot 1. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
As narrated above, Michael Jordan wrapped a US flag on his right shoulder for hiding the Reebok reference of his jacket during the gold medal ceremony.
This piece of polyester, cotton and nylon 120 x 180 cm has been signed by all the twelve members of the Dream Team.
Photo-matched by MeiGray and by Sports Investors Authenticated, it was sold for $ 1.8M by Sotheby's on November 4, 2024, lot 2.
Michael Jordan was the natural leader of the US basketball team, not without reluctance. He did not accept being the captain, for reason of official visibility.
The awarding of the gold medal to the Dream Team made Jordan furious. Reebok was a major sponsor of the Games and required some visibility to their brand as a feedback. The Executive Director of the United States Olympic Committee stated that no medal reception was possible unless the player wore a Reebok jacket during the ceremony. Jordan felt that constraint as a disloyalty against his career long business partner Nike.
Jordan wore the Reebok jacket but used safety pins to hide the Reebok logo. As an additional precaution he draped the right side of the garment in a US flag. After the ceremony he loudly claimed that he did not want the jacket and tossed it to the NBA Public Relations executive, to whom he dedicated and signed it at some time.
Coming from the collection of that NBA officer, the one of a kind Reebok jacket of Michael Jordan was sold for $ 1.5M by Sotheby's on June 28, 2023, lot 1. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
As narrated above, Michael Jordan wrapped a US flag on his right shoulder for hiding the Reebok reference of his jacket during the gold medal ceremony.
This piece of polyester, cotton and nylon 120 x 180 cm has been signed by all the twelve members of the Dream Team.
Photo-matched by MeiGray and by Sports Investors Authenticated, it was sold for $ 1.8M by Sotheby's on November 4, 2024, lot 2.
1996 Road Jersey
2024 SOLD for $ 4.7M by Sotheby's
Michael Jordan returned to the Chicago Bulls in 1995 after a 18 month hiatus. He led that team to championship each year from 1996 to 1998, winning that three Finals MVP awards but losing to Malone the overall 1997 NBA MVP.
A game worn road red jersey of Michael Jordan with the number 23 of the Bulls has been photo-matched by MeiGray with an impressive 17 NBA games in 15 cities from December 1996 to April 1997. He recorded in these games a total of 528 points which is 31 points per game. MeiGray suggest that it has also been used in 3 non-photo-matched games.
Michael's jersey are rare until and including that 1996-97 season due to extensive reuse. Many fakes have surfaced. His game worn jerseys are more common in the next season known as the Last Dance, because the Bulls used to sell these garments for charity purposes.
The example above was sold for $ 4.7M by Sotheby's on November 4, 2024, lot 1.
A game worn road red jersey of Michael Jordan with the number 23 of the Bulls has been photo-matched by MeiGray with an impressive 17 NBA games in 15 cities from December 1996 to April 1997. He recorded in these games a total of 528 points which is 31 points per game. MeiGray suggest that it has also been used in 3 non-photo-matched games.
Michael's jersey are rare until and including that 1996-97 season due to extensive reuse. Many fakes have surfaced. His game worn jerseys are more common in the next season known as the Last Dance, because the Bulls used to sell these garments for charity purposes.
The example above was sold for $ 4.7M by Sotheby's on November 4, 2024, lot 1.
(1997)-1998 Upper Deck
2021 SOLD for $ 2.1M by Goldin
Established in 1988, Upper Deck modernized the sport cards. In 1990, the player's autograph signature is added to some prestige UD series, in necessarily limited quantities. The first trading card autographed by Michael Jordan is a 1996 Upper Deck in the SPx series.
In 1997 the new impulse for special effects appeals their competitors including Fleer and the ephemeral Metal Universe. Upper Deck creates another goodies : the jersey fragment inlaid on the card.
The first series that displays pieces from a Jordan jersey in the Game Jersey edition of Upper Deck for the 1997-98 season, with a 1998 double copyright to the publisher and to the NBA.
This card is serialized out of a high figure of 23 which corresponds to the player's number but does not mean that this quantity has been entirely produced. Jersey and photos relate to a prestigious event, the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in which Jordan scored 18 points in 31 minutes of play.
The card 21/23, certified by PSA, was sold for $ 2.1M by Goldin on May 22, 2021, lot 3. It is graded 9 for the autograph and NM-MT 8 for the condition. Its game-worn patch relic is a tri-color piece.
The card 8/23 was sold for $ 1.44M by Heritage on February 5, 2021, lot 50196. Its condition is rated NM7 by PSA. The signature, weak and narrow, is graded 8.
In 1997 the new impulse for special effects appeals their competitors including Fleer and the ephemeral Metal Universe. Upper Deck creates another goodies : the jersey fragment inlaid on the card.
The first series that displays pieces from a Jordan jersey in the Game Jersey edition of Upper Deck for the 1997-98 season, with a 1998 double copyright to the publisher and to the NBA.
This card is serialized out of a high figure of 23 which corresponds to the player's number but does not mean that this quantity has been entirely produced. Jersey and photos relate to a prestigious event, the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in which Jordan scored 18 points in 31 minutes of play.
The card 21/23, certified by PSA, was sold for $ 2.1M by Goldin on May 22, 2021, lot 3. It is graded 9 for the autograph and NM-MT 8 for the condition. Its game-worn patch relic is a tri-color piece.
The card 8/23 was sold for $ 1.44M by Heritage on February 5, 2021, lot 50196. Its condition is rated NM7 by PSA. The signature, weak and narrow, is graded 8.
1998 Finals
1
Game 1 Road Jersey
2022 SOLD for $ 10M by Sotheby's
The 1998 Finals were a key event in NBA history, opposing the Utah Jazz and the Chicago Bulls. Michael Jordan, who had hitherto made his whole NBA career with the Bulls, won the Most Valuable Player award of the Finals and his sixth NBA championship.
The first game was made in Salt Lake City on June 3, in a surrounding ambience hostile to the Bulls. Utah won it by a narrow margin, despite the 33 points scored by Jordan.
The road jersey worn by Michael Jordan in that Game 1 was sold for $ 10M from a lower estimate of $ 3M by Sotheby's on September 15, 2022, lot 1. It has been photo matched in game use by MeiGray.
After Game 5 the Bulls were leading 3-2 and Utah could expect a tie as the home team in Game 6. The game was tied 83-83 with one minute left. Utah scored with 43 seconds left and Jordan brought the victory of Game 6 and the Finals to the Bulls at 87-86 with 5 seconds and a timeout left. Jordan had scored 45 points in Game 6 where he wore a similar red and black road jersey as in Game 1.
That win was also the end of an era for the Bulls plagued by tension between manager and coach. Jordan announced his retirement but made a come back as NBA player with the Washington Wizards in 2001 after the September 11 attack.
In 2020 The Last Dance raised a worldwide attention to Michael Jordan as an all sport Greatest Of All Time. This 10-part TV documentary relied on 500 hour footage of candid film of the Bulls in that highly successful 1997-1998 season, made by an entertainment crew for use in a documentary. The project had been delayed until Jordan gave his permission.
A home jersey game used by Michael Jordan during the same 1997-1998 season was sold for $ 700K by Sotheby's on February 9, 2023, lot 4.
The first game was made in Salt Lake City on June 3, in a surrounding ambience hostile to the Bulls. Utah won it by a narrow margin, despite the 33 points scored by Jordan.
The road jersey worn by Michael Jordan in that Game 1 was sold for $ 10M from a lower estimate of $ 3M by Sotheby's on September 15, 2022, lot 1. It has been photo matched in game use by MeiGray.
After Game 5 the Bulls were leading 3-2 and Utah could expect a tie as the home team in Game 6. The game was tied 83-83 with one minute left. Utah scored with 43 seconds left and Jordan brought the victory of Game 6 and the Finals to the Bulls at 87-86 with 5 seconds and a timeout left. Jordan had scored 45 points in Game 6 where he wore a similar red and black road jersey as in Game 1.
That win was also the end of an era for the Bulls plagued by tension between manager and coach. Jordan announced his retirement but made a come back as NBA player with the Washington Wizards in 2001 after the September 11 attack.
In 2020 The Last Dance raised a worldwide attention to Michael Jordan as an all sport Greatest Of All Time. This 10-part TV documentary relied on 500 hour footage of candid film of the Bulls in that highly successful 1997-1998 season, made by an entertainment crew for use in a documentary. The project had been delayed until Jordan gave his permission.
A home jersey game used by Michael Jordan during the same 1997-1998 season was sold for $ 700K by Sotheby's on February 9, 2023, lot 4.
2
Game 2 Sneakers
2023 SOLD for $ 2.24M by Sotheby's
Game 1 of the 1998 Finals was lost by the Chicago Bulls against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. Two days later in the same venue, Game 2 was a must win for the Bulls. Utah was so hostile to their visitors that Jordan's kids did not attend. It was won by the Chicago Bulls 93-88, with Jordan scoring 37. The series was thus tied 1-1 at that time.
The current model of the Nike Air Jordan sneakers was the number XIII, featuring a holographic eye and an outsole resembling a panther paw in a reference to the agility of a cat.
The size 13 black and red pair worn by Jordan in the second half of Game 2 was silver signed on both toes by him in the locker room and gifted to the ball boy as a reward for having retrieved a jacket. They are the only pair worn by Jordan in the 1998 NBA Finals that have been photo-matched by MeiGray Group.
It was sold for $ 2.24M by Sotheby's on April 11, 2023, lot 1.
The current model of the Nike Air Jordan sneakers was the number XIII, featuring a holographic eye and an outsole resembling a panther paw in a reference to the agility of a cat.
The size 13 black and red pair worn by Jordan in the second half of Game 2 was silver signed on both toes by him in the locker room and gifted to the ball boy as a reward for having retrieved a jacket. They are the only pair worn by Jordan in the 1998 NBA Finals that have been photo-matched by MeiGray Group.
It was sold for $ 2.24M by Sotheby's on April 11, 2023, lot 1.
3
1991-1998 NBA Finals Sneakers
2024 SOLD for $ 8M by Sotheby's
The Chicago Bulls entered and won their first NBA finals in 1991 with Michael Jordan elected Most Valuable Player of the event. Prior to the match a Public relations executive of the club had asked the champion for an individual game worn sneaker should the Bulls be victorious. So did Jordan.
The same wins happened again in 1992. An amused Jordan considered that his gift should become a tradition and presented a game worn shoe from that final to the same club officer. A photo was made of the smiling champion with one shoe missing.
The story was repeated in 1993. After a two year gap the Bulls had three further finals wins, in 1996, 1997 and 1998, with Jordan each time elected the MVP. New presentations of shoes were made.
The full set of six sneakers is made of Nike Air Jordan VI, VII, VIII, XI, XII and XIV, one of each. It was sold for $ 8M by Sotheby's on February 2, 2024, lot 4. It is accompanied by the 1/1 of the 1992, 1993, 1996 and 1998 photos.
The same wins happened again in 1992. An amused Jordan considered that his gift should become a tradition and presented a game worn shoe from that final to the same club officer. A photo was made of the smiling champion with one shoe missing.
The story was repeated in 1993. After a two year gap the Bulls had three further finals wins, in 1996, 1997 and 1998, with Jordan each time elected the MVP. New presentations of shoes were made.
The full set of six sneakers is made of Nike Air Jordan VI, VII, VIII, XI, XII and XIV, one of each. It was sold for $ 8M by Sotheby's on February 2, 2024, lot 4. It is accompanied by the 1/1 of the 1992, 1993, 1996 and 1998 photos.
2003-2004 Upper Deck Logoman Patch card
2024 SOLD for $ 2.9M by Goldin
In the 2003-2004 season in their Exquisite Collection, Upper Deck began to incorporate a guaranteed game worn NBA Logoman patch or a piece of jersey. They were made of a large jersey patch over a small photo of the player.
One of one serialized cards of the Ultimate Collection have in dedicated places the Logoman patch, the signature of the player and a photo of the player in action.
A 2003-2004 1 of 1 Ultimate referred as MJ-L of Michael Jordan in his former Chicago Bulls period was sold for $ 2.9M by Goldin on June 1, 2024, lot 2. The 1/1 serial number is manuscript. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
PSA has guaranteed its authenticity without grading it, which means that it has a major flaw. This case has become frequent due to the increased complexity of the make. The signature in blue ink is graded a perfect GEM MT 10 by PSA/DNA.
One of one serialized cards of the Ultimate Collection have in dedicated places the Logoman patch, the signature of the player and a photo of the player in action.
A 2003-2004 1 of 1 Ultimate referred as MJ-L of Michael Jordan in his former Chicago Bulls period was sold for $ 2.9M by Goldin on June 1, 2024, lot 2. The 1/1 serial number is manuscript. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
PSA has guaranteed its authenticity without grading it, which means that it has a major flaw. This case has become frequent due to the increased complexity of the make. The signature in blue ink is graded a perfect GEM MT 10 by PSA/DNA.
