Michael Jordan’s memorabilia has always commanded jaw-dropping prices, and all with bids competing for a chance to own them. Just last year, a collection of sneakers worn during his six NBA championships set a record, fetching $8 million at auction. “Serving as both a reminder of Michael Jordan’s lasting impact on the world and a tangible expression of his recognized legendary status, its significance is further validated by this monumental result,” said Brahm Wachter, who oversees modern collectibles at Sotheby’s. With sneakers hitting these numbers, imagine the worth of Jordan’s game-worn jerseys.

Back in 2022, Jordan’s Game 1 jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals sold for a staggering $10.1 million. Sotheby’s confirmed that 20 separate bids drove the price to double its original $5 million estimate, making it the most expensive game-worn sports memorabilia ever. If a jersey from the twilight of his career could reach eight figures, how much could his rookie jersey be worth? $10 million? Maybe even $20 million?

Surprisingly, Jordan’s rookie jersey sold for just $4.215 million—far below expectations. Chase Jordan, an auction expert, pointed out, “It is so rare that there is a scenario where an owner can sell this privately for whatever price they want. In this situation, the jersey was proactively shopped prior to auction at over $20 million.”

So, a private deal could have secured a much higher price than what the auction ultimately delivered. Chase further explained the situation, emphasizing that timing is everything. “But with an item like this, sometimes you just need to time the wave. Could it have sold for $20 million? I think yes. Rumors are there were previous offers made on this jersey significantly beyond what it just sold for,” he said.

As per his estimates, the mistake cost a whopping $15.8 million. But still, it’s the fifth-most-expensive NBA jersey ever sold. And there is a unique history too. As per reports, multiple players had worn this jersey before Jordan, with a dark stain below the number 23 suggesting different numbers were once emblazoned on it. This was a reminder of the Bulls’ financial struggles in the ‘80s, making the jersey even more historically significant.

That’s exactly why experts believe this jersey should have sold for way more. So, this time, Jordan’s legacy lost big.

Some of Michael Jordan’s best auctioned items

Michael Jordan’s memorabilia has always been a hot commodity, and of course,e nothing tops the jersey he wore in Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals. It remains the most expensive Jordan item ever sold. Interestingly, even his sneakers from Game 2 of that same series set a record. Sotheby’s auctioned them off for $2.2 million, making them one of the most valuable pairs of game-worn sneakers ever.

Just last year, another Jordan jersey from the 1996-97 season fetched a whopping $4.7 million. Auctioneers confirmed that Jordan wore the size 46 jersey for at least 17 games over five months. Meanwhile, a separate Bulls jersey from the 1988-89 season also made waves, selling for $1.1 million.

But it’s not just game-worn gear that’s pulling in millions. An unused ticket from Jordan’s 1984 NBA debut with the Bulls sold for a jaw-dropping $468,000—more than 55,000 times its original price. And if that wasn’t wild enough, even Jordan’s high school love life made its way to the auction block.

When Jordan was an 18-year-old senior at Laney High School, he wrote some heartfelt love lettera to his classmate, Laquette Robinson. Last month those attracting 20 bids. The highest one? A staggering $93,336. Whether it’s sneakers, jerseys, or even teenage romance, MJ’s legacy keeps cashing in.