Infused into our subconscious by the eponymous ESPN documentary that captivated millions of viewers at the outset of the pandemic, “The Last Dance” has become as much a pop culture phenomenon as it is a sports mantra for Michael Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls. SCP Auctions is proud to present to the market MJ’s “Last Dance” Bulls home shorts from the 1998 NBA Finals – the final pair of white trunks he ever wore as a Bull. In fact, His Airness donned this same pair in all three home games during the ’98 Finals – Games 3, 4 and 5 at the United Center. Newly discovered and recently photo-matched, this is Jordan’s only pair from the ’98 Finals ever to surface and likely the only pair that ever will.

The most expensive basketball jersey ever auctioned – now the second-highest game used result thanks to Babe’s “Called Shot” jersey – was Jordan’s red Bulls road jersey from Game 1 of ‘98 Finals, which sold for $10.1 million in 2022. This past April, MJ’s Air Jordan sneakers from Game 2 sold for $2.24 million. But what about the shorts Mike wore in half the games played in those epic Finals?

It was MJ’s personal preference to wear the same color pair of shorts for multi-game stretches. Thus, most likely just one red pair from the ’98 Finals exists as well. Consider how unlikely it would be for the red road jersey from Jordan’s “Final Shot” over Bryon Russell in Game 6 to ever leave his possession. We can only assume those red trunks are right there with it. In other words, there may never be another opportunity for collectors to own a pair of his “Last Dance” Finals shorts.

The 1998 NBA Finals magnetized sports fans and viewers from around the world. The Bulls, seeking their second three-peat of the decade, faced the Utah Jazz in what would be the culmination of Michael Jordan’s legendary career in Chicago. After splitting the first two games in Salt Lake City, the Bulls returned home to Chicago for three straight at the United Center. Game 3 on June 7^th was a disaster of historic proportions for Utah. The suffocating Bulls defense forced the Jazz into 26 turnovers and 30% shooting in a 96-54 thumping. The 42-point margin and 54 points scored by Utah remain NBA Finals records. Jordan led all scorers with 24 points. The Jazz kept it much closer in Game 4 (June 10^th), but fell short, 86-82, to give the Bulls a commanding 3-1 series advantage. Again, MJ led everyone with 34 points, adding eight rebounds. Game 5 (June 12^th) was tight throughout and eventually won by Utah, 83-81, to keep the series alive thanks to Karl Malone’s 39 points. For the second straight game, Jordan logged 45 minutes on the court, this time tallying 28 points, four assists and four boards.

MeiGray and Sports Investors Authentication have provided full paperwork documenting multiple conclusive photo-matches of the white trunks, using the unique mesh-hole patterns, stitching alignments, and embroidered logo attributes as the key variables. The Nike size 42 shorts are properly tagged inside the upper rear with “1997-98” and “Inseam + 2”  hang tags. Jordan’s iconic No. “23” is marked in black pen on the size label. An elastic waistband with red and black stripes is joined by a matching pattern at the bottom ends. Two sewn-on Bulls logos adorn the sides, with a classic red, white and blue NBA logo of the famed Jerry West silhouette on the right thigh. The trunks display solid wear with evidence of multiple laundry cycles. Loose threads and puckering are evident throughout.

The only thing missing from this historic pair is a Jordan autograph and inscription. Maybe the winning bidder will have the connections to make that happen. Even better, perhaps the winning bidder will unite these with one of the matching white home jerseys MJ sported in Games 3, 4 or 5. What will it take to own the most important pair of basketball shorts ever offered? We shall see on November 23^rd.