Million-Dollar Memorabilia
A sports jersey is far more than a shirt with a name and number emblazoned on the back. A jersey becomes a time capsule of sorts, infused with the sweat, adrenaline, and glory of moments that define sports history. Some of them have sold for millions of dollars at auction, leaving collectors—as well as casual fans—stunned. Why pay $5 million for a shirt? Because it’s the story of a player, a season, a culture, all woven into the fabric. Here are twenty of the most expensive jerseys ever sold.
1. Babe Ruth’s 1920 New York Yankees Jersey
The Sultan of Swat’s jersey sold for a staggering $5.64 million. This jersey isn’t just fabric; it’s history stitched into cotton and wool. Ruth wore it when he was casually hitting home runs like he wasn’t setting legendary, career-defining records in doing so.
2. Michael Jordan’s 1997–98 Chicago Bulls “Last Dance” Jersey
Jordan’s jersey from that final championship season sold for $10.1 million. “Air” wasn’t just a nickname for this champion; it was a lifestyle. There’s a thrill in imagining him wearing it during a buzzer-beater shot, and collectors buy into that adrenaline.
Joshua Massel. Cropped by en:User:Quadzilla99 on Wikimedia
3. Wayne Gretzky’s 1979 Edmonton Oilers Rookie Jersey
Number 99. Enough said? Gretzky’s rookie jersey fetched $1.29 million. Early Oilers hockey had that gritty, almost garage-band vibe. For the lucky fan who acquired it, Gretzky’s jersey tells a story of frozen arenas, post-game poutine, and fans shouting through foggy plexiglass.
4. Pelé’s 1970 Brazil World Cup Jersey
With his three World Cup wins, the word legendary doesn’t even begin to cover his career. Pelé’s yellow Brazil jersey sold for around $225,000 and came infused with the heat of a Rio summer, the scent of grass and sweat, and the collective joy of a nation.
Unknown authorUnknown author on Wikimedia
5. Diego Maradona’s 1986 “Hand of God” Jersey
Maradona’s iconic jersey went for roughly $7.1 million. In the 51st minute of the 1986 match against England, Maradona infamously used his hand to punch the ball into the goal, evading the ref’s attention. That controversial goal was achieved in this blue Argentina kit.
Doha Stadium Plus Qatar on Wikimedia
6. Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series Jersey
Yes, Ruth appears twice, because he was just that iconic of a player. This particular jersey of his went for $4.4 million and was from the time when he was playing for the New York Yankees and is linked to one of his most iconic moments—when he called the home run against the Chicago Cubs.
Irwin, La Broad, & Pudlin. on Wikimedia
7. Tom Brady’s 2001 New England Patriots Rookie Jersey
Before the Super Bowl rings, before the Gatorade showers, there was a rookie with a number 12 jersey. Brady’s rise was a slow burn at first, but the $2.2 million sale of his rookie jersey makes you rethink the impact of small beginnings.
8. Mickey Mantle’s 1952 Yankees Jersey
Mantle’s pinstripes went for $5.3 million. The number 7 emblazoned across the back became an artifact of the days of Cracker Jacks and hot dogs in old Yankee Stadium. Baseball carries a nostalgia unlike any other sport, and Mantle’s jersey embodies all of that.
9. Lou Gehrig’s 1939 Yankees Jersey
His jersey sold for $1.8 million. Gehrig played 2,130 consecutive games, a record that stood for decades, showing up day after day, no excuses. By 1939, ALS had forced him from the field, and his farewell speech became one of the most famous in sports history.
University Archives—Columbiana Library, Columbia University. on Wikimedia
10. Kobe Bryant’s 2000–01 Los Angeles Lakers Jersey
A collector secured his jersey for $192,000. That season, Bryant averaged 28.5 points, helping lead the Lakers to a second straight championship and establishing himself as the heir to Jordan’s throne. He wasn’t just a scorer—he defended, he created, and he inspired with his relentless work ethic.
Kobe_Bryant_7144.jpg: Sgt. Joseph A. Lee
derivative work: JoeJohnson2 (talk) on Wikimedia
11. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid 2012 Jersey
That year, Ronaldo scored 60 goals across all competitions, carrying Real Madrid to a La Liga title and breaking Barcelona’s hold on Spain. His jersey reflects the modern athlete in peak form: commercial juggernaut, global icon, and a relentless competitor. No wonder his jersey went for $115,000.
12. Joe Namath’s 1969 Super Bowl III Jets Jersey
During this season, the Jets were considered massive underdogs, but Namath secured victory against the Colts 16–7, cementing the AFL’s legitimacy. This wasn’t just a quarterback winning a game—it was a cultural moment, which is likely why his jersey sold for $900,000.
13. Hank Aaron’s 1974 Atlanta Braves Jersey
His jersey sold for $388,375. During that year, Aaron passed Babe Ruth with his 715th home run, becoming baseball’s all-time leader. He faced racist hate mail and threats with quiet determination, so this jersey is not just tied to numbers, but to breaking cultural barriers.
Unknown authorUnknown author on Wikimedia
14. Bill Russell’s 1965 Boston Celtics Jersey
Russell won 11 championships in 13 seasons—an unmatched record. A master of defensive play, his shot-blocking, rebounding, and leadership skills turned the Celtics into an unstoppable dynasty. His $263,000 jersey represents not just victory but redefining what it meant to dominate without needing the spotlight.
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15. Lionel Messi’s 2012 Barcelona Jersey
Messi’s jersey sold for nearly $123,000. Messi scored 91 goals in that calendar year, smashing Gerd Müller’s long-standing record. Every dribble, every turn, every goal seemed effortless, like the game bent to his will.
Кирилл Венедиктов on Wikimedia
16. LeBron James’ 2003 Cleveland Cavaliers Rookie Jersey
This 19-year-old from Akron entered the NBA with the weight of “The Chosen One” as a nickname. His rookie season showed glimpses of the player who would become a four-time champion and all-time leading scorer. His $168,000 jersey is the start of a career that transformed basketball, from Cleveland to Miami to Los Angeles.
17. Magic Johnson’s 1980 Lakers Jersey
Magic’s rookie year ended with him filling in at center during Game 6 of the Finals and scoring 42 points. The Lakers won the championship, Kareem was sidelined, and Magic became a legend overnight. His $120,000 jersey symbolizes the start of Showtime, when basketball became entertainment as much as sport.
Daniel Benavides from Austin, TX on Wikimedia
18. Johan Cruyff’s 1974 Netherlands Jersey
Cruyff’s vision and movement redefined football tactics, influencing generations of players and managers. In 1974, he led the Netherlands to a World Cup final, even though they ultimately fell short. The man who gave the world Total Football had his jersey sell for $152,000.
Bert Verhoeff for Anefo on Wikimedia
19. Zinedine Zidane’s 1998 France World Cup Jersey
Zidane scored two headers in the final against Brazil, delivering France its first World Cup on home soil, turning him into a national hero. His $92,000 jersey may not have been as astronomically expensive as the others on this list, but it’s inextricably tied to France’s national pride.
Zinedine Zidane 2008.jpg: Raphaël Labbé
derivative work: Memorino on Wikimedia
20. Sachin Tendulkar’s 2011 Cricket World Cup Jersey
For many Indians, this was destiny fulfilled. Tendulkar, playing in his sixth World Cup, finally raised the trophy on home soil. He retired soon after, leaving behind records and memories that defined a generation of cricket. His jersey would go on to sell for $125,000.
