The 10 Most Expensive Game-Worn Sports Attire Ever Auctioned

A vintage baseball jersey and cap are laid out on a wooden surface. The jersey is light with dark stripes and features red accents, including a patch and collar. A worn baseball rests on the jersey. The cap has a similar striped pattern.
jonathansloane/istockphoto

Sports attire isn’t just about performance. It’s also about history, legacy, and — sometimes — eye-watering price tags. Whether it’s the sweat-stained uniform of a sports icon (people will pay more for authenticity, but ew?) or an iconic pair of cleats, these items carry stories that make them priceless for die-hard fans. Here are 10 of the most expensive sports attire ever auctioned, including pieces worn by Babe Ruth, Kobe Bryant, and Muhammad Ali.

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1. Babe Ruth’s 1920 New York Yankees Jersey

A vintage gray New York baseball jersey displayed prominently. In the background, a blurred black-and-white image shows a player in motion, also wearing a similar New York jersey.
Screenshot from YouTube/Heritage Auctions
Screenshot from YouTube/Heritage Auctions

Sold for $4.42 million, this pinstriped jersey is one of the earliest known Yankees uniforms worn by the baseball legend.

2. Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals Jersey (Game 1)

Basketball player in a red Bulls jersey, number 23, dribbles the ball on a court. The player wears a red wristband and white sneakers, and is in motion during a game, with a blurred crowd in the background.
Andy Lyons/Allsport/Getty Images
Andy Lyons/Allsport/Getty Images

This iconic Bulls jersey, worn by Jordan during his legendary “Last Dance” season, sold for a whopping $10.1 million in 2022.

3. Muhammad Ali’s Championship Belt

A green and gold championship belt, labeled "World Champion WBC," with intricate designs and logos, is displayed on a white background.
Screenshot from YouTube/WFAA
Screenshot from YouTube/WFAA

This gold championship belt was awarded to Ali after his 1974 bout — dubbed the “Rumble in the Jungle” —against George Foreman. It sold for a staggering $6.18 million in 2022.

4. Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ Jersey

Diego Maradona wearing a blue jersey with the letters "AA" on the emblem stands on a field. He has curly dark hair and is looking ahead. The background is blurred with a crowd.
Mike King/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive
Mike King/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive

This jersey worn by Maradona during the 1986 World Cup match against England sold for $9.28 million at auction in 2022. It’s tied to two of the most memorable goals in soccer history: the “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century.”

5. Kobe Bryant’s 2006-2007 Game-Worn Lakers Jersey

A basketball player in a yellow Lakers jersey, number 8, is shown mid-jump as he makes a shot. He is focused, with both arms extended upwards, and a white wristband on his right arm. The background is dark, highlighting the player.
Vincent Laforet/Allsport/Getty Images
Vincent Laforet/Allsport/Getty Images

Worn during Bryant’s INSANE 81-point game, this jersey sold for $3.69 million in 2021. The jersey’s connection to Bryant’s God-like legacy, especially after his untimely death in early 2020, makes it a priceless gem for basketball fans.

6. Lou Gehrig’s 1939 Yankees Jersey

Baseball player in a New York Yankees uniform stands at a podium with multiple microphones, addressing a crowd on a baseball field. He looks down, touching his head, while people watch in the background. The setting appears historic.
Stanley Weston/Getty Images
Stanley Weston/Getty Images

Worn by baseball star Lou Gehrig during his emotional farewell speech at Yankee Stadium in 1939, this jersey sold for $2.58 million in 2019. Gehrig died just two years later from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

7. LeBron James’ 2013 NBA Finals Jersey

Basketball player in a white Miami Heat uniform, number 6, extends both arms wide. He's on a basketball court with a crowd wearing white in the background.
John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images
John W. McDonough/ Sports Illustrated/Getty Images

Worn by James during Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, this jersey sold for $3.6 million in 2022, cementing his status as one of the all-time greats.

8. Pelé’s 1970 World Cup Final Jersey

Two men stand together smiling. The man on the left, in a gray suit, holds a yellow jersey labeled "Pelé 10." The man on the right, in a dark suit, also holds a plaque or medal. A blurred crowd is visible in the background.
JOEDSON ALVES/AFP via Getty Images
JOEDSON ALVES/AFP via Getty Images

Worn during Brazil’s 4-1 victory over Italy in the 1970 FIFA World Cup, this jersey sold for £157,750 (nearly $200,000) in 2002. Pelé’s performance in the tournament is widely regarded as one of the greatest in soccer history.

9. Jackie Robinson’s 1950 Brooklyn Dodgers Jersey

A baseball player wearing a vintage white uniform and blue cap is poised on a dirt field, glove on one hand, ball in the other. Trees and a clear sky fill the background.
Photo File/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Photo File/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Seen as a symbol of Robinson’s groundbreaking career (he was the first African American player to be accepted into the major leagues), this jersey sold for $4.2 million at auction. It was worn by Robinson during this final season in the MLB.

10. Mickey Mantle’s 1968 Game-Worn Jersey Against the Yankees

A baseball player in a striped uniform swings the bat during a game. A catcher and umpire are positioned behind him. The stands are filled with spectators watching the action.
UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

This jersey, worn during Mantle’s final game with the New York Yankees, sold for $2.19 million in 2018. Regarded as one of most versatile players ever, Mantle’s ability to hit for power, speed, and average made him a true icon of the sport.

Author
Alina Wang

From Queens, New York, Alina has a Bachelors degree in Corporate Communications from CUNY Baruch and enjoys writing and creating content on a variety of topics, including lifestyle, politics, and, of course, wealth trends. Find her on X @atlasseventeen