The world of sports memorabilia is abuzz with the news that Sotheby’s, the renowned auction house, is set to put under the hammer the debut jerseys of two basketball legends – Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls in 1984 and Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. This extraordinary move is expected to generate immense interest among sports enthusiasts and collectors alike, with the two jerseys estimated to be worth a whopping $20 million.
The Michael Jordan jersey, in particular, holds immense historical significance, as it was worn by the basketball icon during his debut game with the Bulls on October 5, 1984, in a preseason match. What’s more, Jordan donned this very jersey in the subsequent two preseason games before switching to a new one for the regular season. This well-documented history, coupled with the fact that the jersey was recycled by the Bulls, as evident from the faint outlines of previous players’ names and numbers, has facilitated its authentication by Sotheby’s.
Notably, this is the only Jordan jersey from his rookie season that has come up for auction, making it an absolute treasure for collectors. Sotheby’s considers Jordan’s jerseys from the 1980s to be the “holy grail” of sports memorabilia, thanks to their extreme rarity. Back in the day, players often wore the same uniform for multiple games, which has resulted in very few examples surviving the test of time.
In addition to the Jordan jersey, Sotheby’s will also be auctioning off the jersey worn by Kobe Bryant during his debut with the Lakers in both the preseason and regular season of his rookie year. The jersey with the number “8” has been photographically matched to Bryant’s debut in the preseason on October 16, 1996, as well as his regular-season debut on November 3, 1996, and the NBA Media Day. This jersey, much like Jordan’s, is a rare piece of basketball history that is sure to garner significant attention from bidders.
The opportunity to own a piece of basketball history doesn’t come often, and with these two jerseys, collectors will have the chance to take home a tangible piece of the legacy of two of the greatest players to have ever stepped onto the court. As the auction approaches, fans and collectors alike will be eagerly watching to see who will emerge as the proud owner of these incredible pieces of sports memorabilia. Will it be a longtime fan, a serious collector, or perhaps a sports enthusiast looking to own a unique piece of history? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – these jerseys are set to make history once again.
