CGC-certified Sports Illustrated Paired with Jordan Jersey in Sotheby’s Sale

A jersey worn by Michael Jordan during the 1998 NBA Finals is being offered in a September 2022 auction presented by Sotheby’s. A Sports Illustrated magazine graded by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) showing Jordan wearing the jersey is included in the prestigious lot, which has an estimate of $3 million to $5 million.

The 1998 NBA Finals stand as one of the most iconic in the history of the sport. They marked the sixth — and last — time that Jordan would lead his team to an NBA Championship, securing his sixth NBA Finals MVP and cementing his spot in the minds of many as the greatest to ever play the sport. This series was the most-watched Finals in the history of the NBA.

The CGC-certified Sports Illustrated and the Michael Jordan jersey, being offered in a single lot by Sotheby's. Click images to enlarge.

The series kicked off in Utah with the Chicago Bulls cast as the underdogs — a role that was unusual for them. They took the court before a hostile Utah crowd in their away uniforms, which were red with black and white lettering. Despite Jordan’s game-leading 33 points, they lost the first game in overtime. Jordan and his teammates went on to win four of the next five games to take the series, his last with the Bulls.

The jersey that Jordan wore during Game One of the historic series is being offered during a Sotheby’s sale on September 6, 2022. It is complemented by a copy of Sports Illustrated from June 15, 1998, which shows Jordan on the cover wearing the jersey that is now being offered. CGC authenticated and graded the magazine CGC 8.0.

Very few items in the world of sports memorabilia rival the prestige of those associated with Michael Jordan. Jerseys worn by Jordan during his Finals appearances are especially hard to come by. A Bulls home jersey that was worn by Jordan during the 1996 NBA Finals is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History collection.

The Game One jersey being offered by Sotheby’s is even more notable for the screen time it received in the hit ESPN documentary “The Last Dance.” Released in 2020, the 10-episode series charts the rise of Jordan and the Bulls dynasty from the superstar’s early days through their sixth championship. Episode 10 of the series focuses on the 1998 Finals.

CGC offers grading services for Sports Illustrated and other magazine titles, in addition to being the world’s leading comic book certification company. The grading process involves a comprehensive inspection by CGC’s industry-leading experts, who provide an unbiased opinion of authenticity and grade on a 10-point scale.

Interest is rising among sports collectors for CGC-certified copies of iconic Sports Illustrated magazines. A 1956 copy with Mickey Mantle on the cover graded CGC 9.0 realized $27,600 in a Heritage Auctions sale in August.