Michael Jordan Jersey Record Sale Highlight Growth in Alternative Sports Investments
New York, Thursday, 1 October 2026.
Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals Game 3 jersey sold for a record $12.26 million at auction on September 29, 2026, demonstrating strong investor demand for high-end sports memorabilia.
Record-Breaking Sale Details
Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals Game 3 jersey sold for a record $12.26 million at auction on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 [1]. The sale was conducted via Pharrell Williams’ auction house, Joopiter, setting a new public sale record for a game-used NBA jersey [1]. Some reports noted the price reached $12.3 million when including the auction firm’s buyer’s premium [4]. This transaction underscores the surging institutional and private investor demand for premium high-end collectible assets [1]. Chicago Business also confirmed the price surpassed the previous NBA jersey record [5].
Record-Breaking Sale Details
The iconic ‘Last Dance’ jersey was consigned by entrepreneur and collector Rob Gough [1]. Joopiter’s pre-auction estimate for the Game 3 jersey was between $10 million and $15 million [1]. The item received only one bid before closing Tuesday evening [1]. This specific white mesh jersey was worn during Game 3 of the finals against the Utah Jazz [2].
Historical Context of the 1998 Finals
The specific event date for the jersey worn during Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals was June 7, 1998, at the United Center in Chicago against the Utah Jazz [3]. In Game 3, Jordan played 43 minutes, scoring 24 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block [3]. The Bulls secured a 96–54 victory over the Utah Jazz, the lowest points total ever allowed by a team in an NBA Finals game [3]. The Bulls won the 1998 NBA Finals 4-2 in six games, for their sixth NBA Championship in eight years [2].
Historical Context of the 1998 Finals
The 1998 Finals became known as “Last Dance,” as it concluded the last season with the Bulls for Head Coach Phil Jackson and the dynasty featuring Jordan and Scottie Pippen [2]. This jersey is the only publicly known white game-winning jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals to surface [3]. Only four game-winning jerseys exist from the 1998 Finals, corresponding to each of the four Chicago Bulls victories [3]. The 1998 NBA Championship is also the most recent the Bulls have won to date [2].
Investment Landscape and Comparisons
The sale beats the previous record of $10.091 million held by Jordan’s jersey from Game 1 of the 1998 Finals [1]. The percentage increase from the previous record is calculated as 21.494 [1]. The all-time sports jersey record remains the 1932 Babe Ruth “called shot” jersey, which sold for $24.12 million in 2024 [1]. Other significant Jordan memorabilia sales include a signed 1986 Fleer rookie card for $2.5 million in June 2025 [1].
Investment Landscape and Comparisons
A Jordan/Kobe Bryant 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite dual NBA Logoman patch autograph sold for $12.9 million in August 2025 [1]. The highest-priced public sports card sale occurred in August 2025 via Heritage Auctions [1]. Sports collectibles are in an exceptionally exciting period of evolution, as the category continues to mature [1]. Objects of true rarity, provenance and cultural significance are increasingly recognized on the global collecting stage [1].
Market Maturity and Scarcity
Michael Jordan remains the most searched athlete on eBay monthly and holds the record for the most graded sports cards, per GemRate [1]. The item features an official 1998 NBA Finals patch and is accompanied by a MeiGray photomatching certificate and a letter of provenance from Bill Thoma [3]. Bidding for Michael Jordan’s custom 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello, currently over $1 million, was scheduled to end Wednesday, 2026-09-30 [1]. The auction of this specific jersey has concluded since the article date of 1998-06-06 context refers to the game date [3].