Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant's First-Ever Game-Worn Jerseys Are Heading to Auction
Expected to sell for a combined total of $20 million USD.
Sotheby’s is auctioning off two pieces of sports history. The auction house is selling Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant‘s first-ever game-worn jerseys from their debut rookie games in the league.
Both NBA legends’ jerseys are expected to sell for a combined total of at least $20 million USD. Sotheby’s expects each individual jersey to sell within the ball park of $10 million USD. Brahm Wachter, head of modern collectibles at Sotheby’s said to CNN, “Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant’s first NBA career jerseys are not just memorabilia; they are enduring symbols of the ambition, skill, and willpower that defined their legendary careers. They are as rare as they come.”
Michael Jordan’s jersey is signed by the legend himself and is considered to be a “unicorn” sports memorabilia rarely found on the market. The jersey is Jordan’s preseason debut Chicago Bulls uniform from October 5, 1984, in Peoria, Illinois, where he first played for the Chicago Bulls. Wachter said, “Debut games are unique milestones that every athlete experiences only once in their journey, making these jerseys especially coveted.” He even added that it is also the “moment where the hype of their pre-professional career finally comes to bear in the big leagues.” While there are dark stains on the number 23 and on Jordan’s name, Sotheby’s described these marks as potential remnants from other names and numbers from previous players who had worn this jersey. The repurposed jersey tells a contrasting story of his early days and his current icon status.
Just as rare is Bryant’s debut Los Angeles Lakers jersey. Bryant wore this No. 8 jersey on his first NBA Media day in his preseason debut in October 1996 as well as regular-season debut the following month. Sotheby’s statement reads of Bryant’s jersey, “This jersey is a tangible connection to the early stages of Bryant’s career, which would culminate in five NBA championships, two Finals MVP awards, and an iconic legacy as one of the greatest players in basketball history.”
Sotheby’s Jordan and Bryant rookie memorabilia is set to be exhibited to the public at Sotheby’s New York from March 21.
