Sotheby’s will offer an eclectic array of art, watches and sports memorabilia for its first auction in Saudi Arabia next month, including a Michael Jordan game-worn jersey with a high estimate of $1.2 million.
Set to take place in Diriyah, the original home of the Saudi Royal Family, the "Origins" auction will be the first international auction in Saudi Arabia’s history.
The Jordan jersey, photo-matched to Game 2 of the 1998 Eastern Conference semifinals, was previously offered by Sotheby’s in a “sealed” auction in September 2023. However, the outcome of the sale is not known. A Jordan jersey from the Eastern Conference finals during the same season sold for more than $1 million at Goldin in November.
Other sports memorabilia slotted for the auction includes multiple Cristiano Ronaldo jerseys, one of which was worn in the 2024 UEFA European Championships quarterfinals.
The 100 lot-sale also features works by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, luxury goods and watches from brand such as Cartier, Richard Mille and Hermès, as well as Saudi artists.
The auction house received $1 billion from Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund and investment firm, ADQ, for a minority stake in the business last year. Sotheby’s said at the time in a statement that the investment would provide the company with “an even stronger presence in the Middle East.”
This inclusion of western sports memorabilia for the Saudi market comes in the wake of recent allegations the country is using more than a billion dollars of investment in global sports events, leagues and companies to "sportswash" its image on the international stage.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.