There are some items that transcend sports. The jersey Michael Jordan wore in Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals is about to go on sale, and its owner values it at $100 million. You read that right. One hundred million dollars for a basketball jersey.
That figure may seem crazy at first glance. But it’s part of an underlying trend that has been accelerating for several years. In 2023, the jersey from Game 1 of those same 1998 Finals sold for $10.1 million. Two years later, the market has grown even further. Items related to Jordan—and, more broadly, to American basketball legends—continue to attract ultra-wealthy buyers who view these pieces as both a wealth-building investment and a collector’s item.
Meanwhile, NBA news this summer of 2026 is also fueling collectors’ interest. Klay Thompson has joined Miami, Jalen Duren and the Pistons still haven’t reached an agreement on his contract extension, and USA Basketball is preparing for the qualifiers for the next FIBA World Cup. These developments are bringing several players back into the spotlight—players whose cards are worth keeping an eye on.
What the Jordan case perfectly illustrates is that the rarest items do not lose value over time. They gain value. A signed jersey with Beckett certification, a PSA-graded card of a basketball icon, a numbered edition featuring a player at the peak of his career: these items follow the same logic as luxury real estate or contemporary art. Rarity preserves value, and time increases it.
The NBA memorabilia market has never been more vibrant. And that's probably not about to change anytime soon.