Michael Jordan's Jersey Sells for $4.7M; Worn During Allen Iverson's Epic Crossover
Monday was quite the day for Michael Jordan fans who have a few extra millions of dollars to throw around.
According to a release from Sotheby's, a collection of five memorabilia items from His Airness deemed "Colossal | The Ultimate Jordan Collection" sold for a combined $8.5 million in auction.
The most notable item was a game-worn jersey that Jordan donned for 17 or more games during the Chicago Bulls' championship 1996-97 season that sold for $4.7 million. While the jersey was sure to fetch quite the price because of the Hall of Famer's own accomplishments during that season, it is also connected to Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson.
After all, that was the red jersey Jordan was wearing on March 12, 1997 when then-rookie Iverson crossed him over and created one of the most memorable NBA highlights of the decade and his own legendary career.
Of course, that season included plenty of better moments for Jordan.
He led the league in scoring as an All-NBA First-Team selection and All-Defensive First-Team selection who finished second in MVP voting. Most importantly, he led the Bulls to their second straight championship in the middle of what would become the second three-peat of his career.
Another notable item that sold Monday was the United States flag Jordan draped over himself during the gold-medal ceremony at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. It went for $1.8 million and is best known as the flag he used to cover up the Reebok logo on his Team USA jacket.
Air Jordan built a branding empire with Nike and used the flag, which is also signed by other members of the Dream Team, to cover up a competitor's logo at an opportune time.
Team USA went 8-0 in those Barcelona Games and defeated Croatia for the gold medal. None of the wins were even close, which was not surprising given star power that included Jordan, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, David Robinson, Scottie Pippen, Patrick Ewing and more.
The other items that sold Monday were a game-worn and signed jersey from Game 1 of the 1998 Eastern Conference first-round playoffs, a 1988-89 game-worn jersey, and a practice set from Jordan's time at North Carolina that included a practice jersey and signed sneakers.
