The 10 Most Valuable Sports Memorabilia Ever Sold
Sports memorabilia holds a special place in the hearts of fans, collectors, and even casual enthusiasts. These cherished items offer a tangible connection to our favorite teams, players, and moments in sports history. For many, the value of a piece of sports memorabilia goes beyond its price tag - it represents a piece of personal history, a symbol of pride and loyalty. But for some, the value of sports memorabilia is measured in cold, hard cash. In this post, we'll take a look at the 10 most valuable sports memorabilia ever sold. From iconic jerseys and signed balls to historic equipment and rare cards, these are the collectibles that have fetched the highest prices at auction. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just a fan with an appreciation for sports history, this list is sure to fascinate and inspire.
Babe Ruth's "Called Shot" Jersey - $4.4 million
Considered one of the most iconic moments in baseball history, Babe Ruth's "called shot" during the 1932 World Series is the stuff of legend. The jersey he wore during that historic game was sold at auction for a staggering $4.4 million in 2012, making it the most valuable piece of sports memorabilia ever sold.
James Naismith's Original Rules of Basketball - $4.3 million
Invented in 1891, basketball has become one of the most popular sports in the world. The original set of rules written by James Naismith, the sport's creator, sold for $4.3 million at auction in 2010.
Mark McGwire's 70th Home Run Ball - $3 million
Mark McGwire's record-breaking 70th home run of the 1998 MLB season was a momentous occasion, and the ball he hit has since become one of the most valuable sports collectibles of all time. It was sold at auction for $3 million in 1999.
Muhammad Ali's Fight-Worn Boxing Gloves - $1.1 million
Muhammad Ali is widely considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, and his fight-worn gloves from some of his most iconic bouts have fetched top dollar at auction. In 2013, a pair of gloves worn by Ali during his "Fight of the Century" against Joe Frazier sold for $1.1 million.
Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers Jersey - $465,000
Considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time, Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers jersey from the 1980s sold for $465,000 at auction in 2016. The jersey is notable for being worn during Gretzky's record-breaking career with the Oilers.
LeBron James' Rookie Year Sneakers - $312,000
LeBron James is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his rookie-year sneakers from 2003 have become a highly coveted collectible. In 2020, a pair of these sneakers sold for $312,000 at an auction.
Babe Ruth's First Yankees Jersey - $5.6 million
Babe Ruth is a baseball legend, and his first jersey with the New York Yankees is one of the most valuable sports memorabilia items ever sold. It fetched an impressive $5.6 million at auction in 2012.
Michael Jordan's Olympic Gold Medal - $8.9 million
Michael Jordan is not only considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but also a national hero for his role in leading the U.S. Olympic team to gold in 1992. His Olympic gold medal from that historic win sold for $8.9 million at auction in 2021.
Tom Brady's Super Bowl LI Jersey - $4.4 million
Tom Brady is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, and his jersey from Super Bowl LI, where he led the New England Patriots to an epic comeback victory, is one of the most valuable sports memorabilia items ever sold. It fetched $4.4 million at auction in 2019.
Honus Wagner's T206 Baseball Card - $3.2 million
Baseball cards have long been a popular collectible, and Honus Wagner's T206 card is considered one of the most valuable of all time. It sold for a whopping $3.2 million at auction in 2021.