This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2016
In a very controversial move, management broke up the Chicago Bulls after the 1998 season and 2nd 3-Peat. At the time, instead of playing for another team, Michael Jordan simply retired. Before the final decision was made by both sides, there was a moment when both the team and Jordan felt he might return for the 1998-1999 season. In anticipation, the Chicago Bulls ordered three home jerseys to be stocked just in case Jordan played one more season.
This shirt was supplied by Nike in Jordan’s appropriate size 48 plus 4 size. By the hobbies’ strictest definitions, this shirt qualifies as team issued since it was supplied by the Bulls and could have been worn by Michael Jordan on the court.
Per our consignor, another example (1 of the 3 known), was offered for sale at the Bulls Stadium “Fandamonium” store. The first one was sold to another individual. Our consignor, persistent and having a working knowledge of how the Chicago Bulls stocked the store of game worn equipment during Bulls games, inquired about any other examples. A team employee checked their game issued stock and sold this example to our consignor. It was during that conversation that the team employee remarked this was one of three examples that had been made for the Bulls in anticipation of Jordan’s possible return. Although not game worn by Jordan, this game issued shirt was one of the last ones ever issued to Jordan as a Chicago Bull. To our knowledge, either of the other two shirts have ever surfaced. Although we will never know what would have happened if Jordan would have gotten one more shot, we can always ask, “What If?” LOA MEARS.
(84L0939)