LeBron James’ 2013 NBA Finals jersey with the Miami Heat sold for $3.7 million at Sotheby’s auction in New York on Friday, a record for a player’s jersey, AFP reported.

The amount is not a record, but the blue jersey worn by Argentina captain Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup sold for $9.3 million in 2022, as well as the jersey worn by Michael Jordan, number 23 of the Chicago Bulls, during his the last championship in the NBA. in 1998 it was sold at auction for $10.1 million.

LeBron James scored 37 points and 12 rebounds on the night of June 20, 2013 in the seventh and final game of the NBA Finals, helping the Miami Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs and win their second straight title.

The sale comes as LeBron James, now with the Lakers, is on pace to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, passing Kareem Abduja-Jabbar (38,387 points). The buyer is a “private collector,” Sotheby’s said without further details.

The sports collectibles market has experienced explosive growth in recent years. This new sale shows that demand has “never been stronger,” said Bram Wachter, head of streetwear and contemporary collectibles at Sotheby’s.

At the same New York auction on Friday, Princess Diana’s ball gown designed by designer Victor Edelstein sold for $604,800 “after rounds of fierce bidding,” Sotheby’s said on Twitter.