A piece of sporting history has set a new benchmark in the memorabilia market, with
The auction, which concluded on Tuesday at 8:06 p.m. EST, saw the jersey reach its record-breaking final price after receiving a single bid. The valuation fell within the projected range of $10 million to $15 million, comfortably surpassing the previous record for an NBA jersey—a mark also held by Jordan for his Game 1 jersey from the same 1998 series, which sold for $10.1 million in September 2022.
Provenance and Performance
The jersey, which was authenticated by MeiGray in December 2015 and photo-matched to specific Getty Images captures, carries a rich history. It was most recently held by Rob Gough, who acquired the item in 2023. Prior to Gough’s ownership, the jersey was held by Bill Thoma of Chicago, who documented his acquisition in a 2015 letter. Thoma noted that he purchased the jersey from Evan LaManna, a partner at Upper Class Collectibles, who reportedly obtained the item through a close associate of the legendary
On the court, the jersey was worn during a dominant display in the 1998 NBA Finals. In that Game 3 matchup, Jordan recorded 24 points, three rebounds, and two assists, leading the Bulls to a commanding 96-54 victory over the Utah Jazz. That win provided Chicago with a 2-1 series lead, eventually paving the way for the team to secure the championship in six games. This series served as the final act of the Bulls' celebrated 'Last Dance' era, with Jordan announcing his second retirement from the sport on January 13, 1999, having secured six NBA titles throughout his career.
