Sports memorabilia collectors are known for paying millions of dollars for authentic items from their favorite players or teams, especially jerseys worn by players during games. Benzinga looks at the three most expensive commemorative sports jerseys of all time.
No. 3: Babe Ruth, 1928-1930 New York Yankees
George Herman “Babe” Ruth is perhaps America’s most famous sports hero. Although he entered the game as a two-way player who could pitch and hit at a high level, Babe rose to stardom when he was traded from the Boston Braves to the New York Yankees. Once in New York, Ruth became as famous for his incredible power in the house as he was for his flamboyant lifestyle off the field.
During his 15 years in a Yankee uniform, Ruth powered the Bronx Bombers to seven World Series titles while hitting .349 and pounding out 659 of his 714 career home runs. Ruth’s 714 home runs made him baseball’s home run king — a record that stood for decades.
At the height of his fame, he was better known than the President of the United States or any movie star. Perhaps that’s why a Yankees jersey worn from 1928-30 sold for $5.64 million at a 2019 auction.
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No. 2: Diego Maradona, 1986 World Cup
When it comes to soccer, known as soccer outside the United States, there are few names that capture the imagination like Diego Maradona. The diminutive Argentine embodied football’s reputation as ‘the beautiful game’ throughout his playing career. Although his career with Napoli, which plays in the Italian Football League, was brilliant, Maradona’s star never shined brighter than that of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
The most memorable – and most controversial – moment of the tournament was when Argentina faced England in the quarter-finals. In a match filled with tension due to the recently ended Falkland Islands War between England and Argentina, Maradona scored the famous “Hand of God” goal in which he appeared to score a goal with his hand (which is prohibited in football) while fielding an volley. The ball is facing the England goalkeeper.
There was no video replay at the time, and the referees ruled that Maradona had scored a legal goal. After the match, reporters confronted Maradona with pictures that appeared to appear as if he had scored an illegal goal, and Maradona answered frankly: “It was the hand of God.” It will forever be known as the Hand of God game, and the shirt Maradona wore that day was sold for a then-record $9.28 million by Sotheby’s in London in 2022.
Ironically, the winning bidder was an Englishman.
No. 1: Michael Jordan, 1998 NBA Finals
In many ways, Michael Jordan was the Babe Ruth of basketball. Yes, the game had players like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson who became established stars when he came into the league, but Jordan captured the public’s imagination like very few players before or after him. Jordan wasn’t just a prolific scorer; He had athletic ability that allowed him to almost levitate.
The slam dunk was his signature move, and his aerial prowess earned him the nickname Air Jordan. By the time Jordan’s career ended, he was almost universally hailed as the greatest NBA player of all time and the greatest basketball player basketball has ever known. He also made hundreds of millions of dollars from the pitch as a merchandiser for products like Nike and Gatorade.
Jordan won the last of his six NBA titles in 1998. Sotheby’s sold the jersey Jordan wore during Chicago’s best-of-seven game versus the Utah Jazz for a record $10.1 million in January 2023.
Sports collectibles are big business
The popularity of sports memorabilia, such as jerseys, extends beyond hardcore collectors. These days, investors are just as likely to be involved in bidding on high-end sports memorabilia as they are for the next big startup or cryptocurrency opportunity. These items are rare, irreplaceable and highly sought after. This is big business now.
Historically, this combination leads to great investments with strong upside potential. Sports memorabilia such as game-worn jerseys or fine art can also be good long-term hedges against inflation. With prices soaring into the eight-figure range, it’s only a matter of time before another piece of art breaks Jordan’s record. The only question is what will it be and how much will it sell for?
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This article originally appeared on Benzinga.com The 3 Most Expensive Collectible Jerseys Ever Sold
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Collectible sports jerseys hold a special place in the hearts of fans and collectors alike. Their value can skyrocket to astronomical levels, making them some of the most sought-after items in the sports memorabilia world. In this article, we will explore the three most expensive collectible jerseys ever sold and delve into the stories behind their immense value. From legendary players to historic moments, these jerseys represent a piece of sports history that commands top dollar in the world of collectibles.