The market for sports and hockey memorabilia has constantly been increasing for decades. In recent years, memorabilia from major league baseball champions, as well as stars such as Patrick Mahomes, Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Babe Ruth, Kobe Bryant, Jesse Craig, and LeBron James, have sold for millions of dollars.
Since January 2021, the record for the most popular sports card has changed three times. It was held by two Honus Wagner sports cards and two Mickey Mantle cards.
However, in the following article, we will learn more about the most expensive sports and hockey memorabilia. Keep reading to find out.
The Shirt Worn By Michael Jordan During the 1998 Final NBA Title
This game-worn jersey was worn during the Chicago Bulls’ infamous “Last Dance” season against the Utah Jazz. After only five games, Chicago won the championship for the sixth time in eight years.
Jordan led the Bulls in scoring in five of the six games, including the season’s most important game. This is the most expensive piece ever sold in a record-breaking sale.
Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” Argentina Jersey
This jersey had a peculiar backstory even before Maradona scored two legendary goals while wearing it during the memorable 1986 “hand of god” World Cup.
The jersey was expressly created for that quarterfinal, held on June 22, 1986, under the scorching sun of Mexico City.
According to several rumors, Argentina’s cotton jerseys were too heavy for the heat of Mexico’s weather, so the coach Carlos Bilardo decided to look for a different material so that their players could perform better.
They came up with two options, one in a stronger shade of blue and the other in a lighter one. Maradona was the one to make the final choice when he entered the room.
He spotted the soft striped blue jersey and declared, “We’ll win with that one.”
Jersey Worn By Wayne Gretzky for the Edmonton Oilers Finals
That was Wayne Gretzky’s jersey when he lifted the Stanley Cup for the last time, marking a pivotal moment in NHL history.
In his autobiography, Gretzky claims that the Oilers intended to trade him before winning the Cup-clinching match. The jersey was most likely soaked with the celebratory champagne when he learned this fact.
Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jersey
Tom Brady’s sale of over $500k shattered the previous record established by another Brady shirt that was sold just a few weeks before.
Brady’s game-used, signed jersey from a crucial game sold for $320,500 through an NFL Auction at the end of 2021, with all money going to charity.
Why Should You Purchase Expensive Sports Memorabilia?
Sports memorabilia is usually extremely expensive, but if you’re a die-hard fan of any player, it is entirely worth it.
There’s nothing better than the satisfaction of owning a piece of the history of one of your biggest idols in the world.
Some people have bought the original Olympic Games manifesto, shirts from the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Yankees, Babe Ruth, and many more expensive items from the current stars of the sports world.