Scottie Pippen kept most of his career memorabilia in storage. Never displayed it. Never showed it off. For decades, six NBA championship trophies, game-worn jerseys from the Bulls dynasty, and a pair of Michael Jordan's sneakers sat in boxes.
Tomorrow, all of it goes to auction.
Sotheby's New York opens bidding on The Scottie Pippen Collection on March 2, running through March 10. Over 50 items spanning a 17-year career. Total estimated value: north of $6 million.
"I felt like I had spent the time with it," Pippen said. "It's time for me to pass it on."
The Crown Jewel Isn't Even Pippen's
The top lot is a pair of Michael Jordan's Air Jordan VII sneakers. Game-worn. Signed. From the 1992 Olympic gold medal game in Barcelona.
After the Dream Team won gold on August 8, 1992, Pippen asked Jordan for his shoes in the locker room. Jordan said yes. The sneakers still have Jordan's orthotics inside.
Estimate: $1.5 to $2.5 million.
The Dynasty Pieces
Pippen's own items tell the story of the greatest dynasty in modern basketball.
1997 NBA Finals Game 5 Jersey - $300,000 to $500,000. Worn during the Bulls' fifth championship run.
1998 NBA Finals Road Jersey (Games 1 and 6) - $250,000 to $300,000. The Last Dance. The final title. Games 1 and 6 against the Jazz.
1996 Home Jersey - $200,000 to $250,000. Worn in 10 playoff games including three Finals games during the 72-win season.
Six Championship Trophies - $200,000 to $400,000. Sterling silver with gold overlay. Gifted to Pippen by Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf. One for each ring. 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998.
Beyond Basketball
The collection goes deeper than jerseys and trophies.
The 1992 Barcelona Olympics gold medal game jersey and ceremony jacket (jacket estimated at $100,000 to $200,000). Pippen's 1994 All-Star Game MVP trophy ($30,000 to $50,000). His 2010 Hall of Fame induction trophy ($10,000 to $15,000). Game-worn Nike Air Maestro IIs from the All-Star MVP game. Nike Air Flight Lites from the Dream Team.
Plus signed hardwood from the United Center, Wheaties boxes, and a 75th anniversary NBA team blazer.
Context: The Sports Memorabilia Boom
Pippen's $6 million estimated total is significant but not unprecedented. The sports memorabilia market has gone vertical.
Jordan's 1998 Finals Game 1 jersey sold for $10.1 million in September 2022. The Jordan-Bryant dual logoman card hit $12.93 million in 2025. Babe Ruth's "Called Shot" jersey brought $24.12 million in August 2024.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's collection totaled $2.8 million when he sold. Pippen's estimate more than doubles that.
The question is whether Jordan's gifted Olympic sneakers break $2.5 million. If they do, it sets a new benchmark for Olympic memorabilia. The provenance is perfect. Direct transfer between the two greatest Bulls ever, witnessed in the locker room after winning gold.
How to Bid
Register online at Sotheby's. Phone bidding available (arrange 24 hours in advance). In-person at 945 Madison Avenue, New York. Bring government ID.
Auction runs March 2 through March 10. Six championships, two Olympic golds, a Hall of Fame career. All up for grabs.
The storage boxes are empty now.
