NEW YORK, NY.- This month, Sotheby’s will offer collectors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a museum-quality piece of sports history: a game-worn jersey, worn over an exceptional five months, from Michael Jordan’s legendary 1996-1997 Championship season with the Chicago Bulls. Worn in at least 17 games, this jersey encapsulates countless significant moments, showcasing Jordan at the height of his powers and the peak of his celebrity. Most notably, it was worn during the unforgettable game on 12 March 1997 when then-rookie Allen Iverson crossed over Jordan, creating an iconic highlight in basketball lore. With an estimated value of $4-6 million, this iconic red jersey is the most extensively worn Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls game-worn jersey ever to hit the market. It is the only MeiGray Authenticated Red jersey from Jordan’s first five championship seasons that has emerged publicly.

This jersey is the centerpiece of Sotheby’s Colossal | The Ultimate Jordan Collection, an online auction featuring five extraordinary Michael Jordan relics, spanning his time at the University of North Carolina to his celebrated ‘Last Dance’ season with the Chicago Bulls. Bidding opens from October 23 to 4 November.

“The population of pre-‘Last Dance’ jerseys is remarkably slim, with single-game jerseys from this era rarely appearing on the market. Jordan often wore the same jersey for extended periods of time in this era, making them exceptionally rare and coveted. This jersey from the 1996-1997 season is truly a unicorn.” --BRAHM WACHTER, SOTHEBY’S HEAD OF MODERN COLLECTIBLES

This jersey is remarkable not only for its historical significance but also for its direct provenance from the Chicago Bulls — the jersey has remained in private hands since its sale from the team. Such a clear ownership record is rare among Jordan memorabilia, as many items lose their traceability over time, often passed on from players to ball boys, family or friends. In this case, the winning bidder will acquire a piece that establishes a direct link to both a living legend and a cherished memory.

Authenticated by MeiGray, this jersey is one of only two red jerseys Jordan wore that season and has been photo-matched to 17 games. Its heavy wear tells a compelling story, reflecting the pressure and performance that defined Jordan's career during the Bulls’ second three-peat from 1996 to 1998. This piece not only represents a pivotal chapter in that narrative but is also enriched by its vintage Champion manufacturing a nostalgic reminder of a transformative era in the NBA.

The 1996-1997 season was a landmark year for Jordan, as he added numerous accolades to his already overflowing trophy cabinet, including:

• All-Defensive 1st Team (8th time)
• All-NBA 1st Team (9th time)
• 11th All-Star selection
• 9th scoring title
• Recognition as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history

Much of this success was built upon the foundation laid while wearing this jersey. Jordan averaged an impressive 31.1 points per game across the 17 photo-matched games, totaling 528 points. Notable scoring performances include:

• 35 points in 36 minutes vs. Charlotte Hornets (Dec 19, 1996)
• 45 points in 45 minutes vs. Seattle Supersonics (Feb 2, 1997)
• 34 points in 39 minutes vs. New York Knicks (Apr 10, 1997)

This jersey comes from a time before manufactured collectibles dominated professional sports. It represents a raw, authentic piece of athletic equipment used solely for competition, uniquely benefiting the athlete. Throughout this legendary season, marked by iconic moments such as ‘The Flu Game’ and the championship- clinching assist to Steve Kerr, this jersey was a steadfast companion to the greatest NBA player of all time.

Colossal | The Ultimate Jordan Collection, also features the flag Michael Jordan famously draped over himself during the 1992 Olympic Gold Medal Ceremony in order to hide the ‘Reebok’ manufacturing logo (estimate upon request).

This flag effortlessly stands as one of the most significant 'Dream Team' artifacts. Draped over the right shoulder of Michael Jordan during the 1992 Olympic Gold Medal ceremony, it served as both a personal statement and a subtle act of defiance, covering the Reebok logo on his jacket to honor and show loyalty to his longtime business partner, Nike. Its importance is further amplified by the fact that it is signed by various members of the 'Dream Team,' making it a centerpiece of one of Jordan’s most iconic career moments. Sotheby’s notably sold the jacket from this moment for $1.5M in 2023.

More than just a flag, this artifact symbolizes Jordan’s Gold Medal victory with the 1992 'Dream Team,' widely considered the greatest basketball team ever assembled. Signed by legendary players including: Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Christian Laettner, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, and John Stockton, this flag marks a defining moment in basketball history, a milestone in the NBA's global rise, and Jordan’s unwavering loyalty to Nike, the brand that has stood by him since the start of his career.

The auction also features one of the finest pre-1990 Jordan jerseys that has ever surfaced on the market: Michael Jordan’s Home 1988-1989 Game Worn Jersey (estimate in excess of $2 million). Worn from January of 1989 to June of 1989, Jordan’s white Home jersey is matched to eight games and over 20 undated images. 1988-1989 saw Michael Jordan put on dazzling scoring displays. He achieved 50 points in an incredible five games over the course of the regular season, the second highest single-season total in his career. On January 21, 1989, Jordan and the Bulls faced the Phoenix Suns in Chicago. While the eventual third seed Phoenix Suns would leave with the victory, Jordan put on an incredible individual exhibition. Jordan finished with a season- high 53 points (in this jersey) without a single three-point attempt, season high 14 rebounds, and eight assists despite accounting for about half of the Bulls scoring output by himself. Additionally, this jersey is photomatched to Game 6 of the 1989 Eastern Conference Finals when Jordan went head-to-head with the “Bad-Boy” Pistons.