Several gifts given by Michael Jordan to John Michael Wozniak, the permed security guard who went viral after his appearance in The Last Dance.
Wozniak, an ex-cop who became one of Michael Jordan’s personal security guards, passed away in January, three months before The Last Dance aired on ESPN+.
John Michael Wozniak was a personal security guard for Michael Jordan.
He beat MJ in a game that he probably made up (we need to know the name of this game) and then he does the “MJ shrug”. What a legend#TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/2mDqKSbaUr
— Taylor Ringold (@TaylorRingold) May 4, 2020
Among the items up for bid at auction house Lelands are a Rolex Jordan gave to Wozniak for Christmas in 1993 inscribed “To John M, From MJ, 12-25-93.”
Page Six also reports…
Also in the auction are a diamond-studded ring that Jordan gave to Wozniak and others in his inner circle in 1998 to celebrate his sixth NBA championship, and a Wizards jersey that Jordan wore in 2002 during his two-season stint with the team. The bidding on the jersey is already up to $6,000, with a month still to go on the block.
In a separate auction, a collection of game-worn Michael Jordan gear owned by MJ’s assistant and longtime friend George Koehler (who also appeared in The Last Dance) is expected to fetch over $1 million.
1984: George Koehler went to the airport to pick up a passenger who never showed up. A guy named Michael Jordan just got off the plane & needed a ride. George charged him $30 & has been by his side ever since 💯 #TheLastDance
— Jumpman History (@HistoryJumpman) May 11, 2020
Koehler is auctioning off 28 items through Goldin Auctions including signed Air Jordan 1s, a Birmingham Barons jersey, Air Jordan cleats, a belt buckle, signed cowboy boots, and the jersey Jordan wore for the final game of his NBA career, reports Sportico.
Goldin Auctions founder and CEO Ken Goldin says Jordan’s final game jersey alone could go for at least $500,000, with the entire collection expected to fetch over $1 million.
Bidding on most of this collection will begin on Nov. 23, with the final game jersey auction being held in January 2021.