Michael Jordan’s ‘Last Dance’ Game 3 Jersey Poised to Top His NBA Record $10.1M Game 1 Sale

There is no doubt now that Michael Jordan dominates sports memorabilia. Anything and everything officially connected to the six-time champion draws bids that far outweigh its original value.

Over the 15 years he played in the league, the North Carolina native created an aura of being the ultimate athlete. His on-court play, how he carried himself, and his ability to overcome obstacles to win two separate three-peats are legendary.

That will forever remain entrenched in the minds of sports fans as the greatest run by any professional athlete in any sport. In addition to that, Jordan, with a lot of help from Nike, the NBA, and its broadcast partners, became a global brand.

That brand has become such that Jordan Brand has outperformed its parent company, Nike, in terms of growth in the last decade. All that helped create an aura around the man and anything he touches.

Maybe the five-time league MVP knew this was going to happen. That is why he and his team ensured his memorabilia, unless sold, stays within their control.

Now his jersey is about to shatter his own record for an NBA game-worn jersey value. Michael Jordan’s Game 1 jersey from the ‘Last Dance’ 1998 Finals sold for $10.1 million.

Auction house Joopiter has put up his Game 3 game-worn jersey for auction. They are expecting this edition to easily breach the previous record. As of now, that goal seems highly possible, since the lone bid so far stands at $10 million. With the auction set to run until September 30, this price should rise.

Michael Jordan’s Game 3 jersey might not break the all-time sports memorabilia record

Joopiter expects this Michael Jordan 1998 NBA Finals Game 3 jersey to reach close to $15 million. That may or may not happen depending on how attractive it is to collectors.

The last time his rookie jersey went up for sale, it drew ‘just’ $4.2 million. That was a pittance compared to the $10 million Sotheby’s expected it to draw. However, this Game 3 jersey will not face the same fate.

At the same time, this piece of sports folklore will not break the all-time record for a sports jersey or memorabilia. That is still held by Babe Ruth‘s ‘Called Shot’ jersey, which drew a winning bid of $24.1 million.

That jersey sold at that price because of the significance of when the baseball legend wore it. Jordan ‘only’ registered 24 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one each steal and block.

In fact, 10 of his 24 points came off free throws. Therefore, if any jersey is to break Babe Ruth’s record, it could only be possible if Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals Game 6 edition comes to auction. After all, he scored 45 points.

On this date in 1998, Michael Jordan scored 45 points including a game-winning jumper with 5.2 seconds left to win his 6th title.

That's still the last go-ahead FG made in the final 24 seconds of a potential series-clinching NBA Finals game. pic.twitter.com/eEYeQA0zef

— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) June 14, 2022

More importantly, he stole the ball from Karl Malone with his Chicago Bulls down a point with just 18.9 seconds on the clock. He then went over to the other side, crossed over to create space, and downed a 20-footer to win his sixth and final championship. Had the guard not executed that, the Utah Jazz could have forced Game 7.

Michael Jordan’s Ferrari also heads to auction

This game-worn jersey is not the only Michael Jordan memorabilia currently on auction. Joopiter has also listed his Ferrari 550 Maranello supercar up for sale with a base reserve price of $500,000.

They estimate the car will draw higher bids, which is a lot more than what pristine examples of the car generally sell for. Naturally, being owned by one of the most recognizable names in sports will add value.

Moreover, Ferrari customized this car to allow his 6’6″ frame to fit in an otherwise small cockpit. On top of that, Jordan drove the car out of United Center with a cigar in his hand and his fifth NBA championship trophy on the passenger seat.

Along with the license plate that reads ‘MJ 5,’ this specific car has enough customization to trounce other Ferrari 550 Maranellos in terms of value. Demand for Michael Jordan’s past vehicles is on the rise, after a collector tracked down another of his famous Ferraris. Therefore, this 550 Maranello could see a surge in interest.

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