His Airness yesterday generated a near meltdown in cyberspace, and his merchandise was selling like hotcakes in gift shops across the city.
Michael Jordan, whether on trading cards, jerseys, steak knives or sweatshirts, seemed to be everywhere – and people were buying.
“People will want to have something of Michael Jordan for their own,” said Penny Glazier, who along with her husband, Peter, are partners with Jordan in Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse and gift shop in Grand Central Terminal, where a signed Wilson basketball was selling for $1,500.
“Everyone’s going to want a piece of him,” added Peter Siegel, an owner of Gotta Have It Collectibles in Manhattan, who predicted that Jordan’s red No. 45 jersey – which he wore for only 18 games during his 1994-95 comeback season – will soon rise in value to $35,000. It sells for $25,000 today.
Jordan memorabilia sales also were creating a heat wave at San Jose, Calif.-based eBay Inc., an on-line auctioneer.
“The buzz is beginning,” said Kelly Ranger, a spokeswoman for eBay. “We actually think things are going to take off [today] after his announcement.”
She said 214 new Jordan items were offered for auction yesterday on eBay – bringing the total items to 2,281. Most auctions have a seven-day span, she noted.
“A lot of auctions ended this morning, including one for an autographed jersey that sold for $9,100,” Ranger said.
In another hot bidding contest, a 1986 rookie card had hit $1,111, she said. But another war for a rookie card ended yesterday afternoon, with the 1986 Fleer selling for a steamy $1,575.
“His rookie cards will go way up, probably, eventually, two to three times,” said Cleveland memorabilia dealer Brad Gart, who, with partner Jon Pearlstone of California, operates “Across the States.”
“In the short term, they’ll be around $1,500.”
“Jordan is king – he’s the No. 1 collectible guy,” said David Fitzpatrick, of Kankakee, Ill., a veterinarian who’s an avid Jordan collector.
“I’ve been looking for a jersey, and last week, they were up around $1,950 from $1,400 just two weeks before that. Today, they sell for around $2,175 on eBay.”
Fitzpatrick said he fell out of the bidding at $2,000 – a price he knew he could pay elsewhere for a jersey.
At The NBA Store in Midtown, sales associate Leo Brown said half of the merchandise sold yesterday was for the Bulls – and those buying it were from overseas.
Celadin Pina, a tourist from Italy, snapped up Bulls sweatshirts for her sons. Tour guide Tony Ingrosso explained:
“We know the Bulls and we know Michael Jordan because he’s the best player in the world.”