There’s no shortage of demand for Michael Jordan memorabilia, and it seems that every item tied to the basketball legend commands a premium price at auction. The latest piece of Jordan history set to go under the hammer is the jersey he wore when Allen Iverson famously crossed him over during a 1997 regular-season game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bulls.
This jersey, associated with one of the more surprising moments in Jordan’s career, is expected to fetch between $4 million and $6 million when it goes up for auction at Sotheby’s later this month.
Jordan memorabilia has consistently broken records in the auction world. In 2022, the jersey he wore during Game 1 of the NBA Finals in his iconic “Last Dance” season with the Bulls sold for an astounding $10.1 million, setting a new benchmark for sports apparel at the time.
Though that record has since been surpassed by Babe Ruth’s jersey, which sold for an incredible $24.1 million earlier this year, Jordan’s memorabilia remains some of the most coveted in the sports world.
The jersey in question is particularly special, as it was worn during 17 games of the 1996-97 season, including the game where Iverson, a rookie at the time, cemented his place in NBA history by delivering a crossover that left Jordan briefly off-balance.
The moment became one of the most iconic plays of Iverson’s career and is often replayed in highlight reels showcasing the legendary skills of both players. Iverson, the first overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, quickly made a name for himself with his incredible ball-handling abilities and earned Rookie of the Year honors that season. However, his stunning crossover on Jordan during their March matchup remains one of the most memorable moments of his inaugural campaign.
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While the 76ers didn’t win that game, Iverson’s ability to break down arguably the greatest player of all time instantly became part of his lore.
The auction house has emphasized that this piece of memorabilia is not just about the jersey itself but the moment it represents in NBA history—when a young Iverson went toe-to-toe with Jordan in his prime.
The auction, set to begin on October 23rd, will run through November 4th, with the Jordan jersey serving as the centerpiece of the event. Alongside this iconic piece of sports history, other notable items will also be up for grabs.
These include the American flag Jordan draped over his shoulders during the medal ceremony at the 1992 Olympics when the Dream Team secured the gold. The flag, signed by Jordan and other members of the legendary team, is expected to sell for around $1 million.
Additionally, a practice jersey and a pair of autographed sneakers Jordan wore during his time at the University of North Carolina are also part of the collection, with those items estimated to bring in between $150,000 and $200,000.
As the auction approaches, collectors and fans alike are eager to see just how much these pieces of sports history will fetch. With Jordan’s influence on the game of basketball remaining as strong as ever, there’s little doubt that these items, particularly the jersey linked to one of his most memorable battles with a rising star, will draw intense bidding.
The crossover moment between Jordan and Iverson was a clash of eras—a young player on the rise and an established legend—and this jersey encapsulates that meeting of titans.
Whether the final hammer price reaches or exceeds the $6 million estimate, one thing is clear: the demand for items associated with Michael Jordan remains as high as ever, and the legacy of both Jordan and Iverson will continue to be celebrated in basketball history.
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