A white jersey worn by Michael Jordan during Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals is slated for auction, with its owner predicting it could sell for $100 million. If achieved, the sale would set a new record for the most expensive piece of game-worn sports memorabilia.
Sports investor and actor Rob Gough is selling the jersey, which he acquired during a search for items at the intersection of "greatest athlete, greatest stage and a defining moment." Gough described his pursuit of the jersey as a "wild treasure hunt" that involved navigating through multiple intermediaries. He was unable to identify the original owner of the jersey and was required to sign a non-disclosure agreement as part of the purchase.
The jersey originates from "The Last Dance" season, during which Jordan secured his sixth and final championship with the Chicago Bulls. Game 3 of that series saw the Bulls defeat the Utah Jazz by 42 points, a record for the largest margin of victory in NBA Finals history.
Gough, who has owned the jersey for four years, displayed it at his home in Puerto Rico for two years before storing it in a vault. He decided to sell it, stating that "You're a steward of these iconic pieces of history," and felt the jersey should be seen and enjoyed rather than kept in storage.
The auction is being managed by Joopiter, an auction house associated with Pharrell Williams, and is scheduled to begin on September 15.
The current record for a game-worn jersey at auction is held by Jordan's jersey from Game 1 of the 1998 Finals, which sold for $10.1 million in 2022. Gough expressed a preference for jerseys from games won, noting that he does not typically collect items associated with losses.
Gough, 42, has a notable history in the collectibles market. In 2021, he purchased a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card for $5.2 million, a then-record price for the item. He indicated that he later sold the card for an eight-figure sum and anticipates the jersey sale could be his second transaction of that magnitude.
Gough also owns jerseys from other prominent athletes, including Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Tom Brady, and Wayne Gretzky. He is uncertain if Michael Jordan is aware of the upcoming auction.