LeBron James’ Jersey Beats Obama’s to Become World’s Most Expensive
Julien’s Auctions held Sports Legends, the world-record breaking auction house to the stars’ sports event of the year, in front of an international audience of sports fans, investors and collectors bidding live in person, on the phone, and online for some of the most important and coveted pieces of sports history in Beverly Hills and online.
The most highly anticipated moment of the auction was the sale of LeBron James’ St. Vincent – St. Mary’s high school jersey which he wore for his iconic Sports Illustrated “The Chosen One” cover of the February 18th, 2002 issue which was realized at $512,000 and set a new world record for highest selling price for a high school jersey sold at auction.
The sale shattered the previous world record held by Julien’s sale last year of Barack “Barry” Obama’s high school #23 jersey worn during his senior year at Punahou School as a member of the 1979 Hawaii State Champion boys’ varsity team which sold for $192,000.
Consigned by investor Mark Pepitone from his world record-breaking collection, this photo-matched jersey was worn by James both for the historic photo shoot and the high school game that same evening where the future NBA icon considered the greatest player of all-time scored 32 points and collected seven rebounds.
The most watched and famous pre-college prospect to ever play the game, James wore this very jersey when he was introduced to the sporting world by gracing his very first cover of Sports Illustrated.
Lebron James’ iconic “The Chosen One” jersey used on Sports Illustrated cover sold for $512,000 in Julien’s Auctions. Credit: @juliens_auctions
Former United States president, Barack Obama’s jersey during his senior year at Punahou School as a member of the 1979 Hawaii State Champion boys’ varsity team. Sold for $192,000 in 2020. Credit: juliensauctions.com
One of the most sought-after modern trading cards of all time from none other than basketball titan and phenomenon, Michael Jordan, was another spectacular sale of the auction. His 1986-1987 Fleer #57 Basketball Rookie Card, PSA Gem Mint 10 was sold for $384,000, well over its estimate of $200,000.
Over 800 historic sports collectibles from the wide worlds of basketball, soccer, baseball, hockey, football, tennis, golf, the Olympics and beyond will be up for auction featuring rare and valuable game-winning jerseys, shirts, trophies, medals, trading cards, sports equipment and other memorabilia. Among the league of champions headlining the event include LeBron James, Rafael Nadal, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Colin Kaepernick, Diego Maradona, Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Babe Ruth, and more.
