This Spring, Sotheby’s will offer two of the most significant game-worn jerseys in basketball history—each representing the humble beginnings of two of the most iconic players to ever grace the hardwood: Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
Their respective first NBA career jerseys will be offered in two standalone single-lot sales, and together, are expected to achieve $20 million. A rare opportunity for collectors and sports enthusiasts to acquire pieces of NBA history, the jerseys will be on public exhibition at Sotheby’s New York galleries starting 21 March.
Michael Jordan game-worn uniforms from the 1980s are unicorns, very rarely seen in the market with scant having ever been made available. In the 12 seasons prior to the 'Last Dance' 1997-1998 season, MeiGray has examined 130 jerseys purported to be worn by Michael Jordan, however, at the time of cataloging only 4 jerseys have proven to be authentic by MeiGray. This is one ofthose jerseys, and to Sotheby’s knowledge, is the only photomatched game-worn jersey from Michael’s rookie season to ever surface at auction. MeiGray has attributed this jersey to Jordan’s preseason debut on October 5, 1984, in Peoria, Illinois, where he first played for the Chicago Bulls at the Peoria Civic Center, in front of a crowd of 2,000 people. The jersey was additionally photomatched to Jordan’s 2nd and 3rd NBA games in the 1984 preseason.
Jordan’s debut occurred during a time when the Bulls were financially strained. Although he wasn’t the first pick in the 1984 draft, Jordan quickly showcased his extraordinary talent, impressing coach Kevin Loughery. In the 1984 preseason, Jordan wore a repurposed jersey previously worn by other players—a far cry from the global icon he would eventually become. This repurposing plays a key role in the jersey’s extensive authentication by MeiGray and Sports Investors Authentication. Beneath both the name “Jordan” and the number “23,” you can see dark stains, which appear to be remnants of previous players' names and numbers that were once on the jersey. Michael switched to a different jersey at the beginning of the 1984-1985 regular season.
His rookie season was a turning point for the Bulls, as Jordan averaged 28.2 points per game and won the NBA Rookie of the Year award. His electrifying playstyle, characterized by acrobatic dunks, clutch performances, and relentless competitiveness, captivated fans worldwide.
Jordan’s 1984-1985 preseason debut signaled the arrival of an extraordinary talent who would go on to redefine the sport, elevate the global popularity of the NBA, and become one of the greatest athletes of all time. This notion is felt now more than ever, as Nike celebrates its 40th anniversary of the Air Jordan line with an entire ‘banned’ campaign - a nod to when Jordan famously wore his ‘banned’ black-and-red
Nike Air Ships which marked the beginning of his groundbreaking partnership with the brand. This exact jersey was worn during that legendary period of time. Marking the first time the jersey has appeared in public in over 15 years, it will now be up for auction at Sotheby’s New York, with bidding open from 12 - 26 March, and is expected to fetch in the region of $10 million.
Kobe Bryant's game-worn jersey from his 1996-1997 rookie season is a rare and iconic artifact marking the beginning of his legendary career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Worn during his first preseason and regular-season games, this jersey symbolizes the start of Bryant's meteoric rise to global basketball stardom.
At just 18 years old, Bryant entered the league as a sensation from Lower Merion High School, possessing a level of confidence and competitive fire beyond his years. While his rookie stats were modest (7.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists), it was his relentless work ethic, competitive spirit, and moments like winning the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Contest that set him apart. Bryant’s tenacity, resilience, and insatiable hunger for greatness would later be immortalized as the "Mamba Mentality."
This jersey is photo-matched to numerous key moments, including his NBA Media Day, preseason debut on October 16, 1996, and regular-season debut on November 3, 1996. 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.
Photo-matched to seven games of the 1996-1997 season, the jersey will be sold as part of a single-lot, online auction on 10-24 April. The set is expected to achieve in the range of $10 million.
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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