This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/4/2017
The 1997-1998 season would be Michael Jordan's final with the Chicago Bulls. Not letting his fans down, he brought a 6th World Championship back to the windy city and his second three peat. MEARS completed a complete review of this shirt for our auction. Our findings:
Style: Red mesh full body shell with white/black/red/black/white neck and shoulder ribbed elastic trim. “BULLS”, “23”, and “JORDAN” appear with black on white double tackle twill. NBA logo appears on the left upper shoulder. The style of the shirt compares favorably to period examples.
Dating: 1997-1998 as embroidered on the left manufactures tag.
Manufacturer (Nike):
Manufacturer History
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)
Interior Tag: Two tags appear on the inside hem. One is the Nike Swoosh with 1997-1998, the other is the Made in the USA tag.
Per review of examples that have entered the hobby, it is confirmed that Nike was the official supplier of 1997-1998 Chicago Bulls game worn jerseys.
Jordan Sizing
1984-85: 42, 44
1985-86: 44
1986-87: 44
1987-88: 44
1987-88: 42 (Promotional Use Only)
1988-89: 44
1988-89: 42 (Promotional Use Only)
1989-90: 44
1990-91: 44, 46
1991-92: 46
1992-93: 46
1993-94: DNP
1994-95: 46
1995-1996: 46
1996-97: 46
1997-98: 48,50
Per examples in the MEARS database, size 50 is confirmed as being correct for Michael Jordan during the 1997-1998 season.
Game Wear: Shirt shows light game wear, which was common for Jordan shirts of the era .
Provenance: Our consignor stated this shirt was soured from a Charlotte Hornets employee, but no letter of was provided.
Final Grade (MEARS A5): Per the MEARS grading criteria, we assigned this shirt the grade of a MEARS A5. The shirt is consistent with respect to tagging, lettering, sizing, and game wear as what you would expect to find on a game worn Jordan shirt, but the lack of provenance places this shirt in the A5 category.
(98Z0259)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS