For many, tonight will be just another night. For others, it will be the first of many sleepless nights spent glued to the TV, watching the NBA live. The season is about to begin with two games: New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves, and we are already equipped with our favorite player’s jersey. But we’re not the only ones ready for the new season. This year, Sotheby’s has decided to celebrate the return of the players to the court in a special way. On October 23rd at 4:00 PM (Italian time), “Colossal | The Ultimate Jordan Collection” will open—a special online auction featuring five rare items belonging to Michael Jordan. Let’s discover them!
Chicago Bulls Jersey from the ’96-’97 Season
After his retirement, Jordan’s return in 1995, a championship win with the Bulls the previous year, and the release of *Space Jam* in theaters, the ’96-’97 season saw MJ become a global superstar, both on and off the court. Considered the best Away-Red jersey, this item up for auction was worn by Jordan in at least 17 games (possibly 20), during which Air Jordan scored a total of 528 points. It is estimated to be worth between $4,000,000 and $6,000,000.
The American Flag Worn by MJ During the 1992 Olympic Medal Ceremony
The 1992 Olympics are synonymous with the Dream Team, and the flag up for auction is the one Jordan famously used to cover the Reebok logo during the medal ceremony, as a gesture of respect toward Nike. Adding to its significance, the entire Dream Team signed the flag. Its value is likely priceless, with Sotheby’s only revealing it upon request.
The 1998 Playoff Jersey
This jersey hails from MJ’s final season, known as “The Last Dance.” In the game against the Utah Jazz on April 24, 1998, Jordan wore this jersey, scoring 39 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists. This piece of history is valued between $800,000 and $1,200,000.
Training Uniform from His Time at the University of North Carolina, Including Shoes
This extraordinary set includes a training jersey from the University of North Carolina (UNC) in its iconic blue, along with a pair of signed Nike sneakers. It is a rare and personal artifact from the early days of Michael Jordan’s career.
Chicago Bulls Jersey from the ’88-’89 Season
Although the Bulls were defeated by the Detroit Pistons, known as The Bad Boys, in that season, Michael Jordan stood out, winning his second scoring title with an average of 32.5 points per game. The jersey in question is the white home version.
Owning even one of these five pieces is every basketball fan’s dream, but certainly not within everyone’s reach. Additionally, for basketball fans, Sotheby’s has an entire section dedicated to NBA jerseys—we recommend checking it out.
We’ll leave you with a video made for the auction’s launch, where Allen Iverson talks about Michael Jordan with SLAM Magazine’s founder, Dennis Page.
