The jerseys worn by Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant during their first NBA games are expected to sell for millions of dollars when they go up for auction this spring.
About The Jerseys
These iconic pieces of basketball history, representing the players’ early careers, are projected to command around $20 million combined, with each jersey estimated to reach approximately $10 million, according to a press release from Sotheby’s, the auction house managing the sale.
“Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant’s first NBA jerseys are more than just collectibles; they embody the ambition, skill, and perseverance that defined their remarkable careers,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles, in an email to CNN. “These jerseys are as rare as they come.”
Jordan’s signed, game-worn jersey from the 1980s is described as a coveted “unicorn” on the market, with Sotheby’s noting that MeiGray, a company that specializes in sports memorabilia authentication, examined 130 jerseys believed to belong to Jordan but only identified four as authentic.
The jersey in question is one of those authenticated items. Using a process called “photo-matching,” Sotheby’s confirmed its authenticity by comparing unique features of the jersey, such as wear patterns, to high-resolution images and video footage. This is the only game-worn jersey from Jordan’s rookie season to be auctioned, according to Sotheby’s, which chose not to disclose the seller’s identity.
The jersey is tied to Jordan’s preseason debut on October 5, 1984, in Peoria, Illinois, where he played his first game with the Chicago Bulls.
“Debut games are once-in-a-lifetime milestones for every athlete, which is why these jerseys are so highly coveted,” said Wachter, calling them the “moment when the pre-professional hype culminates in the major leagues.”
Beneath Jordan’s name and number 23 are dark stains, likely remnants of names and numbers from previous players who wore the jersey. This early-career, repurposed jersey contrasts with the global icon Jordan would later become, according to the auction house.
Similarly rare is Bryant’s debut jersey from the Los Angeles Lakers, a number 8 jersey that is photo-matched to significant moments, such as his first NBA Media Day, his preseason debut in October 1996, and his regular-season debut in November 1996.
“This jersey marks the beginning of Bryant’s legendary career, which would include five NBA championships, two Finals MVPs, and a lasting legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats,” said Sotheby’s.
Bryant tragically passed away in 2020 at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash in California.
The upcoming auction takes place amid a growing demand for “rookie memorabilia,” with prices for such items reaching new heights. Sotheby’s highlights that the most expensive rookie collectible ever sold was a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball card, which fetched $12.6 million in August 2022.
This won’t be the first time jerseys from Jordan and Bryant have commanded millions. In 2023, an autographed Kobe Bryant jersey from his 2007-2008 MVP season sold for $5.8 million, making it the second-most expensive basketball jersey sold. The highest price ever was for Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey, which sold for $10.1 million in September 2022.
Both jerseys will be available for public viewing at Sotheby’s in New York beginning March 21.
