This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/5/2015
Presented as our featured lot in the March, 2015 MEARS Auctions is the finest jersey of its kind,
1998 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls Game Worn NBA Finals Game 3 Home Jersey
After playing 7 games to beat the Pacers to advance to the 1998 NBA Finals, the Bulls were exhausted after only two days rest and lost the opening game to the Jazz. The media and many basketball experts predicted this would be the end of the Bulls Championship reign. The Bulls did bounce back to win game 2, tying the series, 1-1 but skepticism still filled the air.
Games 3, which Michael Jordan wore this actual shirt, was the pivotal game of the series, permanently switching the momentum to the Bulls. Chicago and Michael Jordan went on to finish the series in 6 games, with Michael Jordan making “The Shot” , the game winning jumper to seal his last World Championship.
While wearing this jersey, Jordan’s combined game performances earned him his 6th NBA Championship MVP award.
To our knowledge, this is the only photographically documented Michael Jordan NBA Finals game worn jersey to ever hit the market. Additionally, per our research, this is the only Michael Jordan NBA Finals game worn shirt to have ever been offered, and certainly the only example from his very last Championship, #6. Using the techniques of imagery analysis (both inclusionary and exclusionary), the supporting images confirm this shirt could only have been worn in game 3 of the finals with games 4 and games 5 being excluded as a possibility (those shirts have never surfaced and may be in the possession of the Chicago Bulls or Michael Jordan).
Style: Issued as the white full body mesh home style with straight cut tail. The arms and neck opens are trimmed with red/black/white/black/red elastic ribbing. “BULLS” and “23” (front & reverse) are sewn on with red on black double tackle twill. “JORDAN” appears on the reverse with serifed red on black double tackle twill. The NBA logo, located on the front left shoulder strap is present as. For the start of the 1986 season, the NBA mandated the logo be added to all jerseys and the rule is still enforced today. A separate factory manufactured NBA Finals patch has been sewn onto the right shoulder. Available images of both Michael Jordan and teammates confirm this is the correct style for the 1998 NBA Finals.
Manufacturer: On the bottom outside left tail is the Nike Team Sports tag. Printed is size 50 and “ENGINEERED TO THE EXACT SPECIFICATIONS OF CHAMPIONSHIP ATHLETES”. Length +4. Nike was verified as being the correct supplier for 1998 Chicago Bulls jerseys. Other examples examined by MEARS include:
Manufacturer (Nike): The style of the Nike tag dates to the 1997-98 season (courtesy of the MEARS Tagging Database). NIke was the correct supplier of 1997-98 Chicago Bulls jerseys. The history of the Chicago Bulls jerseys during the era was:
1984-85 (Rawlings)
1985-96 (Rawlings)
1986-87 (Sand Knit)
1987-88 (Sand Knit)
1988-89 (Sand Knit)
1989-90 (Sand Knit)
1990-91 (Champion)
1991-92 (Champion)
1992-93 (Champion)
1993-94 (Champion)
1994-95 (Champion)
1995-96 (Champion)
1996-97 (Champion)
1997-98 (Nike) *
Other examples of 1997-98 Nike Chicago Bulls jerseys include:
1997 Jordan Home (Nike)
1997 Jordan Alternate (Nike)
1997 Kukok Home (Nike)
1997 Rodman Road (Nike)
1997 Longley Home (Nike)
1997 Jordan Road (Nike) MEARS #313981
Therefore, Nike has been established as the correct supplier of 1997-98 Chicago Bulls game worn jerseys.
Size 50: Examples of 1997-98 Michael Jordan game worn shirts that have entered the hobby have been found in both size 48 and size 50. Other examples to support size 50 as being worn by Michael Jordan include:
1997 Jordan (Authenticated by Upper Deck, UDA letter included)
1997 Jordan (Jeff Schultz, Chicago Bulls Letterhead)
1997 Jordan (MEARS #313981)
Size 50 has been established by both contemporary examples and items sourced directly by Michael Jordan’s marketing partner, Upper Deck Authenticated as being correct for the 1997-98 season.
Game Wear: The jersey exhibits light game wear, which would be appropriate for a single game’s use.
Market Analysis: A review of online sales and the MEARS database revealed that to the best of our research, this is the first and only documented example of a Michael Jordan NBA Finals Championship to enter the hobby. The rarity of this shirt only adds to its importance.
Imagery Analysis: The examined shirt was compared to available Getty Images of the 1998 NBA Finals. As a white, home jersey, we examined the 3 home games that were played in Chicago:
Game 3, 6-10-98
Game 4, 6-12-98
Game 5, 6-12-98
Due to the access to numerous photos, we were able to compare the front and back of the actual jersey to the same shots of game footage. Per our findings,
Inclusionary Analysis
Game 3:
Front: When examining the bottom of the front lettering BULLS and the top of the 23, the mesh hole pattern compared quite favorably with respect to the mesh pattern between the lettering. (plate A). The positioning of the NBA logo, NBA Finals Logo, BULLS, and 23 were all consistent with respect to positioning when compared to the available photo.
Back: When examining the bottom of the name JORDAN to the top of the number 23, the positioning is a lot tighter than the game 4 or game 5 images, Plate B & Plate C.
Exclusionary Analysis
Game 4: Game 4 was excluded as being a possibility of game wear. The positioning of the game 4 player name “JORDAN” was placed considerably higher when compared to the examined photo. (plate c, bottom graphic)
Game 5: Game 5 was excluded as being a possibility of game due to the higher positioning of the name JORDAN with respect to the top of the 23, Plate D.
In my opinion, based on the consistency of the front and back lettering, this shirt was worn in game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals. Games 4 & 5 were excluded as possibilities based on the same examination of special arrangements.
Final Grade (MEARS A10): When examining and comparing the jersey to the 5 categories of evaluation per the MEARS Official Worksheet, MEARS determined the following deductions: Zero. The jersey compares favorably to all examined categories with respect to manufacturer, sizing, tagging, lettering, numbering. Additionally, through the process of imagery analysis, we were able to find dated game 3 images showing Michael Jordan wearing this shirt, and excluded wear during games 4 & 5.
Conclusion: Arguably the finest Michael Jordan jersey to ever come to market. Worn during his final NBA Championship series, this 1998 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls NBA Finals (GM3) Game Worn Jersey is cornerstone piece worthy of any elite collection. (76D0025)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS