Michael Jordan, often hailed as the greatest basketball player of all time, had his share of iconic moments—and one of them involved a young rookie, Allen Iverson, leaving a lasting mark. The jersey Jordan wore during that unforgettable crossover by Iverson is now headed to auction.
Sotheby’s will soon host the “Colossal | The Ultimate Jordan Collection” sale, featuring five pieces of Jordan memorabilia. Among the highlights is a game-worn jersey from the Chicago Bulls' 1996-97 championship season, expected to fetch between $4 million and $6 million.
Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles, explained the rarity of such items. “The population of pre-‘Last Dance’ jerseys is remarkably slim, with single-game jerseys from this era rarely appearing on the market,” Wachter said. “Jordan often wore the same jersey for extended periods of time, making them exceptionally rare and coveted. This jersey from the 1996-1997 season is truly a unicorn.”
This particular jersey is one of just two red jerseys worn by Jordan that season. Authenticated by MeiGray and photo-matched to 17 games over five months, the jersey represents a stretch in which Jordan averaged an impressive 31.1 points per game, totaling 528 points. Most memorably, Jordan wore it on March 12, 1997, when Allen Iverson famously crossed him over—an iconic moment etched in NBA history.
After being sold by the Chicago Bulls, the jersey has remained in private collections. Unlike other Jordan memorabilia items that tend to pass between players, friends, and fans, the lineage of this jersey is well-documented, which adds to its significance as it heads to auction from October 23 to November 4.
The auction will also feature other notable Jordan items. A signed American flag from the 1992 Olympics—famously used by Jordan to cover the Reebok logo on his jacket during the gold medal ceremony, demonstrating his loyalty to Nike—will be included. Another highlight is Jordan’s home jersey from the 1988-89 season, estimated to bring in over $2 million.
With this auction, Michael Jordan’s remarkable legacy is once again in the spotlight, featuring memorabilia that celebrates his iconic career and enduring impact on basketball culture.