The iconic rookie jerseys worn by NBA legends Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant in their first professional games are set to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s auction house. The historic No. 23 and No. 8 jerseys are expected to fetch a combined total of $20 million.
Michael Jordan’s jersey was first worn on Oct. 5, 1984, during a preseason game in Peoria, Illinois. The Chicago Bulls legend made his debut in front of just 2,000 spectators, a modest start for a player who would later become one of the greatest in basketball history.
Brahm Wachter, the head of Sotheby’s modern collectibles department, described Jordan’s rookie-season jerseys as “unicorns” due to their extreme rarity.
Jordan’s debut season was nothing short of spectacular, as he averaged 28.2 points per game and won the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Over his illustrious career, he secured six NBA championships, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.
Sotheby’s anticipates that this legendary jersey could sell for around $10 million.
Kobe Bryant’s rookie jersey from the 1996-97 season is also up for auction. Sotheby’s confirmed that this rare piece of memorabilia was worn by the Lakers’ star during both preseason and regular season games.
Bryant entered the NBA at just 18 years old and went on to win five NBA championships and two MVP awards. His career was tragically cut short when he passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020.
His rookie jersey is scheduled for auction on April 10, with an expected price tag of approximately $10 million.
Speaking about the significance of these jerseys, Wachter stated, “A rookie’s first jersey marks the beginning of a legendary career. For collectors seeking authentic, one-of-a-kind treasures, this auction offers a rare chance to own pieces of basketball history.”
The most expensive NBA jersey ever sold at auction was Jordan’s “Last Dance” jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals, which fetched $10.1 million in September 2022.
However, the all-time record for a sports jersey was set in August 2023, when a baseball jersey worn by MLB legend Babe Ruth during the 1932 season sold for a staggering $24.12 million.
Kobe Bryant’s most expensive auctioned jersey to date was from his 2007-08 MVP season, which sold for $5.8 million, making it the second most valuable NBA jersey in history.
With these legendary rookie jerseys now on the market, basketball collectors and fans alike are eagerly anticipating what could be another record-breaking auction event.
