Bulls' Championship Banner from Chicago Stadium Up for Auction

The original banner commemorating the Chicago Bulls' first three-peat, from the 1992-93 NBA season, is currently being auctioned by Grey Flannel Auctions. This historic artifact, once displayed at the old, now-demolished Chicago Stadium, went up for sale last Thursday, with the auction running until June 14.

Bidding started at $1,000 (approximately €861) but has already surpassed $3,400 (€2,927) due to numerous offers, and is expected to climb significantly higher. The banner, which comes with a certificate of authenticity, remained in the arena until its closure in 1994.

With the team's transition to the United Center, located relatively close to the previous venue, for the subsequent 1994-95 season, the Bulls commissioned new banners to celebrate their championships (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93). This collection would later expand with the conquest of another three-peat between 1995-96 and 1997-98.

Despite its age and rarity, the item's condition is described as "excellent." The lot description notes only a slight yellowing due to time and some "minor pulled threads," considered normal for an object exposed for over three decades.

"Made of vinyl and measuring 2.95 by 4.37 meters, it hung from the ceiling of Chicago Stadium, known as The Madhouse on Madison, from the end of that season until the arena's closure in 1994. Its design includes 'CHICAGO BULLS' in black stitched letters at the top, followed by the team logo and the phrase NBA WORLD CHAMPIONS 1992-93," reads the description.

The Bulls' journey to the 1992-93 title was memorable. The Chicago squad, led by Phil Jackson and featuring stars Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, finished the regular season with a 57-25 record. On their path to the championship, they won their first seven playoff games and, in the Eastern Conference Finals, rallied from a 0-2 deficit against the Knicks, winning the next four games to reach the Finals.

In the Finals, the Bulls faced the Suns, the team with the best regular-season record (62-20) and featuring Charles Barkley, ultimately prevailing 4-2. The title was sealed dramatically with a John Paxson three-pointer in the final seconds, a play where the ball touched all five players on the court, securing a one-point victory and their third consecutive championship.