Michael Jordan 1996 – 1997 Chicago Bulls Game Worn Jersey | Worn Across 5 Months | December of 1996 to April of 1997 | 'Championship Season' | The Most Extensively Matched Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls Game Worn Jersey by MeiGray | 528 Points

Sold by The Chicago Bulls, 

Property of a Private Collector

“I don’t think anyone is going to win until Michael retires, I just don’t. You know? That’s the way it goes.” 

After the Chicago Bulls beat the Miami Heat 4-1 in the 1997 Eastern Conference Championship, Heat Head Coach Pat Riley was resigned to the fact that, as long as Michael Jordan was playing, there was little hope for the rest of the league. 

Today, this kind of sentiment from the head coach of an opposing team, albeit one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, would be unheard of. But during the 1996-97 NBA season, no one batted an eye. Jordan was back at the peak of his powers and dominant as ever, and the concept of toppling him during his run, seemed almost unimaginable. 

At the start of the 1996-97 NBA season, Michael Jordan occupied a space within cultural zeitgeist like never before. He was already the most recognized athlete in the world and it wasn’t close. After the drama of his comeback from retirement in 1995 and his championship triumph with the Chicago Bulls in June of 1996, his star shone brighter than ever. But with the premier of Space Jam that November, his global fame had reached its zenith. During a time where broadcast television garnered tens of millions of viewers, the Bulls were featured on the NBA on NBC nearly every weekend. Fans lucky enough to get their hands on tickets to see MJ play live, entered an environment more akin to a rock concert than a regular season basketball game. 

The imagery of Jordan and the Bulls during this time was inescapable. Posters, merchandise, Starter jackets, Champion jerseys, Upper Deck trading cards - MJ was less an athlete than a global cultural icon. The Red Chicago Bulls Jersey became arguably the most popular article of clothing in the world, thanks to one man.

Population

There is a common misconception about the rarity of Michael Jordan jerseys prior to the 1997-1998 season. In Michael’s last season, the Bulls realized that they could commercialize his jerseys for charity through the CharitaBulls organization and as such, there are a number of 1997-1998 jerseys that have surfaced throughout the years. 

At the time of cataloging, MeiGray has authenticated 25 game-worn jerseys from the 1997-1998 season, with 20 of those jerseys being used for just a single game. 

In the 12 seasons prior to 1997-1998, MeiGray has examined 130 jerseys purported to be worn by Michael Jordan, however, at the time of cataloging only 4 jerseys have proven to be authentic by MeiGray. This is one of those jerseys, and it is the most extensively worn Michael Jordan Bulls Game-Worn Jersey ever submitted to MeiGray Authenticated, whose database includes Jordan authenticated jerseys from his rookie season in 1984-1985. 

The population of pre-‘Last Dance’ jerseys is remarkably slim – with a single-game jersey from these seasons emerging here-and-there. The reality is, that Michael during these periods of time would wear a single jersey for huge swaths of time, making them exceptionally rare and coveted. 

This is perhaps the finest Away-Red Michael Jordan jersey that has ever surfaced at market. 

The Games

The 1996-97 season saw Michael Jordan add a number of personal accolades to his already overflowing trophy cabinet. He was named to the All-Defensive 1st Team for the eighth time, to the All-NBA 1st Team for the ninth time, earned his 11th All-Star nod, won his 9th scoring title, and was named as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. Much of the foundation for these achievements was laid in this jersey. Jordan had some of his best games of the season in this jersey and beat his overall points per game average during the season, 29.6, with an impressive average of 31.1 points per game in this jersey across the 17 photomatched games for a total of 528 points. His stellar scoring performances included: 

• 35 points in 36 minutes on December 19, 1996 against the Charlotte Hornets
• 34 points in 39 minutes on December 26, 1996 against the Atlanta Hawks
• 25 points in 35 minutes on January 15, 1997 against the Minnesota Timberwolves
• A Double-Double with 26 points and 14 rebounds in 43 minutes on January 19, 1997 against the Houston Rockets - broadcast on the NBA on NBC program
• 32 points in 39 minutes on January 23, 1997 against the Cleveland Cavaliers
• 28 points in 32 minutes on January 28, 1997 against the Vancouver Grizzlies
• 18 points in 32 minutes on January 31, 1997 against the Golden State Warriors
• 45 points in 45 minutes on February 2, 1997 against the Seattle Supersonics - broadcast on the NBA on NBC program
• 36 points in 41 minutes on February 4, 1997 against the Portland Trail Blazers
• 30 points in 45 minutes on February 14, 1997 against the Atlanta Hawks - broadcast on NBA on TNT program
• 23 points in 43 minutes on February 27, 1997 against the Cleveland Cavaliers
• 32 points in 43 minutes on March 11, 1997 against the Boston Celtics
• 23 points in 37 minutes on March 12, 1997 against the Philadelphia 76ers
• 36 points in 39 minutes on March 14, 1997 against the New Jersey Nets
• 34 points in 39 minutes on April 3, 1997 against the Washington Bullets
• 37 points in 40 minutes on April 6, 1997 against the Orlando Magic - broadcast on the NBA on NBC program
• 34 points in 44 minutes on April 10, 1997 against the New York Knicks

MeiGray has stated in a supplemental letter (provided with lot) that it believes the jersey was worn in additional 3 games, brining the total number of games to 20. The lot is also accompanied by a Letter of Provenance from The Chicago Bulls. MeiGray did additionally note that this is the only red jersey from any of Michael's first 5 Championship seasons that has been photo matched by the organization.

Also included in this lot are six framed prints, made from photographs taken of this jersey (three of which are taken and signed by legendary NBA photographer, Nathaniel Butler), as well as several packs of cards and other ephemera that feature this jersey, including a life-size 'fathead' of Jordan in the jersey.

Diving Deeper - Iconic Imagery

After the Orlando Magic took Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals Nick Anderson, who famously stole the ball from MJ to seal the win, taunted the all-timer who had worn the number 45 since returning to the NBA earlier that year: “45 is not 23.” Anderson had just uttered what was perhaps the single most impactful statement on basketball imagery ever made, although he didn’t know it yet. Before the next game, Jordan kept his warmup on until he ran out for the opening tip. He even let the announcer say “Wearing 45.” But Michael had returned to his old faithful, the number 23. Darrell Armstrong, an Orlando guard, said “Oh no, Superman is in the building… We in trouble tonight.” Jordan and the Bulls went on to win Game 2 before ultimately falling in the series, but one thing became clear: Number 23 was here to stay.

Such was the fear that the Red-Away Number 23 jersey struck into the hearts of NBA players and opposing fans alike. Jordan and his Bulls went on a historic run in 1995-1996, winning 72 games, before returning a 69 win season in 1996-1997. This stretch of dominance led Sports Illustrated to muse on its March 10, 1997 cover “Are the Bulls So Good They’re Bad for the NBA?” with an image showing a stylized Jordan, donning an Away-Red Uniform with the gold logoman like this jersey, palming a ball over diminutive depictions of other greats such as Charles Barkley, Shaq, Grant Hill, Patrick Ewing, and Gary Payton. This along with other depictions such as the famous posters from Starline, Costacos, and Heroes of the Game showing Jordan in this jersey have memorialized this Red-Away jersey with the 50th anniversary gold logoman for generations to come.  

The Hottest Ticket in Town 

Michael Jordan was one of the most important cultural icons of the 1990s. Michael Wilbon, who covered Jordan extensively, said “In every corner of the world, there was someone who just wanted to see him. No one had the sort of pull, the gravity that Michael Jordan had.” Dream Team teammate Charles Barkley confirmed as much, saying “I will say this one thing about Michael Jordan. I have been around other celebrities in my life. I have never seen people react like they do to him. People go crazy when they see him.” 

Each time Jordan visited a city, the stadium filled with fans eager for a glimpse of the GOAT. When Jordan played in Atlanta in this jersey on Valentine’s Day 1997 and ended the Hawks’ 20 game home-winning streak, stars like Evander Holyfield, John Elway, and John McEnroe packed in with the sellout crowd. Consummate basketball fan Spike Lee has said that when the schedule would come out, he and other fans in New York would look for the date the Chicago Bulls were coming to town. On those dates, in Spike’s words, New York City was, “on fire.” 

In 1998, Fortune estimated that Jordan alone had been responsible for a $30.5 million boost in road gate receipts. As he laced up his Cherry-Red Air Jordan 12s and stepped onto the hardwood, all eyes were on Michael Jordan and this jersey. Whether Jordan was at Madison Square Garden or the Fleet Center viewers across the country tuned in to NBA on NBC, watching as this jersey accompanied Jordan during some of his most iconic moments in the 1996-1997 season. 

Champion - a Fitting name for the League’s Best Player

The late 1980s and 1990s were an incredibly important period for the NBA. This period saw the passing of the proverbial torch from the Kareems, Birds, and Magics of the NBA landscape to a new dominant force in the Jordan-led Chicago Bulls, the electrifying Shaq-led Magic, and gritty Patrick Ewing-led Knicks. The Dream Team was bringing NBA stars to international attention and through it, Jordan became perhaps the first true global megastar of the NBA. And finally, in 1989, Champion became the official uniform supplier of the NBA. During an incredible eight-year run as the league’s exclusive outfitter, Champion pushed the boundaries of design and produced some of the most iconic jerseys in NBA history. Champion’s timing was fortuitous, as it allowed Champion to be the sole outfitter of the transformative Bulls dynasty for five of their six championship seasons.

In the words of Sports Illustrated, “every kid wanted to emulate the look of his long shorts, stylish sneakers, and the Bulls’ uniform design.”

50th Anniversary Season

On NBA opening night in 1996, the warm ups and uniforms donned by the greats of the game demonstrated the historic significance of the 1996-1997 season: the NBA was celebrating its 50th. 

To commemorate half a century of the top basketball league in the world (harkening back to the inaugural BAA season of 1946-1947), the NBA had added an ‘NBA at 50’ patch to the warm up and uniforms of players and changed the Logoman patch on the jersey for the first time since its introduction on uniforms in 1980. The NBA replaced the red, white, and blue logoman, first introduced on uniforms as part of the 35th Anniversary patch in 1980, with a commemorative golden one to celebrate its 50th. 

Three days earlier, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced the results of a poll commissioned to determine the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history, to be officially introduced at that year’s All-Star Weekend. Among the hallowed greats whose names were called, defending champion Michael Jordan’s name rang out. Although he had already assembled a Hall of Fame career, Jordan would continue to produce golden moments, including in this jersey, that further cemented his place in NBA history during the NBA’s golden season.  

Seattle Supersonics

On February 2nd, NBA fans were in for a treat… unless they supported the Seattle Supersonics. The Bulls had come to town for a rematch of the 1996 NBA Finals and were in the midst of a six game win streak that opened with Jordan dropping 51 points on the Knicks at home. Before that game, Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy had made the mistake of calling Jordan a con-man. As the saying goes, those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

After the legendary “Roundball Rock” theme welcomed NBA on NBC viewers to a sold out KeyArena, it was revealed by Ahmad Rashad that before the game, Supersonics coach George Karl said that MJ was “playing as if he didn’t want to get hurt.”

The disrespect lit a fire in Michael. Jordan went on to light up the Supersonics for 45 points – wearing this jersey – in their own building, his third highest scoring output of the season. After the game Jordan dismissed Karl’s comments, saying he was not going to let a coach dictate the way he would play his game. 

The Crossover

On March 12, 1997 the Philadelphia 76ers — featuring Allen Iverson, the 1st pick of a legendary 1996-97 Draft Class that also featured the likes of Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, and others — hosted the Chicago Bulls. This was Iverson’s third matchup against his childhood hero, Michael Jordan. Iverson recalled the first time he met Michael Jordan in an interview with The Players’ Tribune: 

"Anybody that know Allen Iverson know Black Jesus was it for me. I wanted to be like Mike. I remember the first time seeing him; I couldn’t believe it, man. I ain’t never looked at a person in my life — and I’ve seen millions of celebrities — I never looked at somebody that didn’t look real. Never. Like, the God damn guy was glowing or something, man," 

Iverson and Jordan had an iconic game, and in a one-on-one matchup, Iverson decided he would try and do his ‘move’ on Michael Jordan – the cross-over. 

Allen recalled, “I gave him a little cross to see if he’d bite on it. I let him set his feet, and then I stepped it back again.” Iverson tripped-up the GOAT, and nailed his shot. 

It became one of the most culturally significant moments in basketball history. 

Jordan always remembered it, as in an interview with NFL great Shannon Sharpe, Iverson recalled: 

I went to a Charlotte Hornets game, and he had me come in, and we in the back, and me and him just sitting back and drinking and reminiscing or whatever, and I was like, ‘Man, I love you, man.’ And he was like, ‘You don’t love me, you lil b****. You wouldn’t have crossed me up like that if you did.’ Everybody in the room just bust out laughing, man. It was crazy.”

Home Away from Home: Jordan Catches Fire Again at MSG

Besides showing out in front of the Chicago faithful, Jordan’s favorite place to play was at Madison Square Garden in New York City. After the Bad Boy Pistons, the 90s Knicks proved to be one of Jordan’s most regular playoff foils, and when Jordan visited the Garden New York basketball fans knew they were in for a show. The night of April 10, 1997 was no different. Despite sitting comfortably atop league standings, the Bulls were chasing history: a second-straight season of 70 or more wins. Jordan’s start did not set the world on fire. Through three quarters, he sat at a relatively pedestrian 14 points, and with eight minutes to go Jordan remained at 14 points while the Bulls trailed by six. Jordan then flipped the proverbial switch. Over the final 7:21, Jordan scored 20 of the Bulls’ final 24 points in this jersey, including two free throws that tied the game with 43 seconds to go. After a pair of Luc Longley free throws gave the Bulls the lead with five seconds left, Jordan’s defense helped seal the Bulls’ 68th win of the season. The barrage of scoring that gave Jordan his final total of 34 marked yet another example of Jordan’s prowess under the New York City spotlight.

Jerseys in Demand

In today’s world of game worn objects, items worn by Superstar athletes for more than a game are truly special items and exceptionally rare. Game worn memorabilia is in such high demand between collectors, athletes eager to keep hold of jerseys, and trading card companies that this has forced the population of game worn jerseys upward considerably over the past quarter century. There athletes who wear as many as a jersey per quarter. However, there was a time where professional athletes wore jerseys for months at a time. The jersey was simply a piece of equipment, and the supply was infinitesimal compared to today.

This jersey was photomatched to being worn by Michael Jordan over a 5-month span in Jordan’s fifth championship season, from December of 1996 to April of 1997, over a remarkable 5 months in 15 different cities. That this jersey was worn by Michael Jordan for such a long period of time – at the height of his celebrity as well as his basketball powers – is just one of the elements that make this jersey one of the most stunning pieces that has ever surfaced from perhaps the greatest to ever play the game. For a jersey from this time to survive the demand for game worn memorabilia that surged shortly after its use (Upper Deck for example produced the first NBA game used memorabilia trading card set in 1997-1998 and regularly utilized jerseys from the Bulls era in subsequent releases) and be brought to market is a truly momentous event.

Per MeiGray, this jersey was one of only two red jerseys that Michael wore during the 1996-1997 season. This jersey was photomatched to 17 games by MeiGray and comes with an accompanying report on the rarity of the object.