Sport Equipment
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
not including Baseball bat. not including Uniforms.
See also : Sport Sport II Baseball Basketball Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant
Chronology : 2024
not including Baseball bat. not including Uniforms.
See also : Sport Sport II Baseball Basketball Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant
Chronology : 2024
1926 Miss Gleitze's Companion Oyster
2025 SOLD for CHF 1.4M by Sotheby's
Founded in 1905, the Rolex company is early specializing in wristwatches. The developments include miniaturization and sealing.
Mercedes Gleitze was a leading female endurance swimmer. This English woman of German ascent spent 10 3/4 hours swimming in the River Thames in 1923 at the age of 23. She successfully swimmed across the Channel in October 1927, 14 months after Gertrude Ederle, both from France to England.
Her precedence as the first British woman to successfully cross the Channel was immediately contested in a hoax. For justifying her feat, she attempted a few days later a vindication swim which did not succeed due to poor weather. Rolex were developing their Oyster waterproof case. An early pre-patent Rolex Oyster prototype assembled in 1926 was attached by a ribbon around her neck, perfectly operating while submerged during that 10 hour swim.
Rolex then used Gleitze's name to perform a marketing campaign for the Oyster in Britain.
The watch is inscribed as 'Miss M. Gleitze The Companion Oyster. Vindication Channel Swim. October 21st, 1927'. Fitted with a later dial, the lifelong timekeeper of the swimmer was sold for CHF 1.4M by Sotheby's on November 9, 2025, lot 134.
Rolex will be a brand of sport watches and the company will sponsor the events. In 1935, a Rolex accompanies Malcolm Campbell in his automobile speed record at 482 km/h in Daytona.
Pre sale Grok thought :
ForbesLife @ForbesLife Oct 26
The Historic Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster Could Fetch $1.3 Million At Auction https://forbes.com/sites/anthonydemarco/2025/10/03/the-historic-mercedes-gleitze-rolex-oyster-could-fetch-13-million/…
Mercedes Gleitze was a leading female endurance swimmer. This English woman of German ascent spent 10 3/4 hours swimming in the River Thames in 1923 at the age of 23. She successfully swimmed across the Channel in October 1927, 14 months after Gertrude Ederle, both from France to England.
Her precedence as the first British woman to successfully cross the Channel was immediately contested in a hoax. For justifying her feat, she attempted a few days later a vindication swim which did not succeed due to poor weather. Rolex were developing their Oyster waterproof case. An early pre-patent Rolex Oyster prototype assembled in 1926 was attached by a ribbon around her neck, perfectly operating while submerged during that 10 hour swim.
Rolex then used Gleitze's name to perform a marketing campaign for the Oyster in Britain.
The watch is inscribed as 'Miss M. Gleitze The Companion Oyster. Vindication Channel Swim. October 21st, 1927'. Fitted with a later dial, the lifelong timekeeper of the swimmer was sold for CHF 1.4M by Sotheby's on November 9, 2025, lot 134.
Rolex will be a brand of sport watches and the company will sponsor the events. In 1935, a Rolex accompanies Malcolm Campbell in his automobile speed record at 482 km/h in Daytona.
Pre sale Grok thought :
ForbesLife @ForbesLife Oct 26
The Historic Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster Could Fetch $1.3 Million At Auction https://forbes.com/sites/anthonydemarco/2025/10/03/the-historic-mercedes-gleitze-rolex-oyster-could-fetch-13-million/…
- The X post promotes a Forbes article on the 1927 Rolex Oyster worn by endurance swimmer Mercedes Gleitze during her English Channel vindication swim, highlighting its role in proving the watch's waterproofing and estimating $1.3 million at Sotheby's Geneva auction on November 9, 2025.
- Gleitze's feat, after a hoax challenged her record, involved submerging the pre-patent gold Oyster for over 10 hours in 51°F waters, leading to Rolex's first celebrity endorsement ad in the Daily Mail and shifting wristwatches from novelty to reliable tool.
- Watch historian Stan Czubernat rebuts Sotheby's claims of Rolex pioneering waterproof watches, citing 1918 U.S. Army-tested Depollier models that endured 500-hour submersion and aviation records, suggesting the narrative inflates value by overlooking earlier innovations.
The Historic Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster Could Fetch $1.3 Million At Auction https://t.co/XUkZUwN3Ie pic.twitter.com/x1K9svye6I
— ForbesLife (@ForbesLife) October 26, 2025
1927 Ruth Glove
2022 SOLD for $ 1.53M by Hunt
A top grade bespoke Spalding Professional leather glove of Babe Ruth from the period 1927-1933 was sold for $ 1.53M by Hunt on November 12, 2022, lot 143. Its Babe Ruth signature is a stamped facsimile.
PSA/DNA considered a possible photo matching on Ruth's hand in 1934 with a stain on the back of his right index finger which may be from tobacco juice. A ca 1927 photo features Ruth with a similar glove.
It has an impeccable provenance from the champion who gave it in worn out condition to Jim Austin, a former MLB player of the St. Louis Browns. It had been treasured by Austin's niece.
PSA/DNA considered a possible photo matching on Ruth's hand in 1934 with a stain on the back of his right index finger which may be from tobacco juice. A ca 1927 photo features Ruth with a similar glove.
It has an impeccable provenance from the champion who gave it in worn out condition to Jim Austin, a former MLB player of the St. Louis Browns. It had been treasured by Austin's niece.
Ruth Glove Given to Jimmy Austin Now Has Possible Photo Match: https://t.co/SCu0r77lQI pic.twitter.com/zXDlFAuEA3
— Sports Collectors Daily (@SportsCollector) November 3, 2022
1972 Turcotte saddle
2026 SOLD for $ 1.52M by Christie's
A race saddle was sold for $ 1.52M by Christie's on March 12, 2026 from the Jim Irsay collection, lot 39. Its significance lays in the career of Ron Turcotte and the feats of the horse Secretariat.
The lot in question is Lot 39 from Christie's live auction "The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame" (Auction 24627), scheduled for March 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT in New York. Titled "SECRETARIAT RACE USED 1973 TRIPLE CROWN SADDLE (RON TURCOTTE COLLECTION)", it is a custom hand-crafted leather racing saddle used by Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte during Secretariat's legendary 1973 Triple Crown campaign. The saddle was acquired by the late Jim Irsay (former owner of the Indianapolis Colts) directly from Turcotte via private sale in February 2023, and it has never before been publicly offered at auction.
This saddle, often referred to by Turcotte as his "Big Race" saddle, was custom-made for him by Kentucky saddlemaker Lee Wincher just before the 1972 Bluegrass Stakes. It includes specialized pockets for evenly distributing lead handicap weights (four removable weights remain, each inscribed "Ron Turcotte"), along with stirrup irons and leathers. It has been photomatch-verified by SIA to Secretariat's 1973 Arlington Invitational, with additional supporting documentation tying it to the Triple Crown races. The lot also includes related items: a framed panoramic photo of Secretariat's Belmont victory (signed by Turcotte), two unframed signed Belmont photos, a June 11, 1972, Newsweek magazine cover featuring Secretariat as "Superhorse," and letters of authenticity from Turcotte and SIA.
The saddle was used extensively by Turcotte aboard Secretariat during the horse's two-year-old and three-year-old seasons, including key 1973 races such as the Bayshore Stakes, Gotham Stakes, Wood Memorial, Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Arlington Invitational, Whitney Stakes, Marlboro Cup, Woodward Stakes, and Man O' War Stakes. (It was also used in other notable mounts, like Riva Ridge's 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont wins.)
Significance in Ron Turcotte's Career
Ron Turcotte, a Canadian-born Hall of Fame jockey, rode Secretariat in most of the colt's major starts from mid-1972 onward, forming one of the most iconic partnerships in Thoroughbred racing history. Turcotte's tactical brilliance was key: he trusted Secretariat's intelligence and stamina, famously allowing the horse to pace himself in the grueling 1.5-mile Belmont Stakes rather than pushing aggressively. Turcotte later reflected on the Belmont: "This horse really paced himself. He is smart: I think he knew he was going 1 1⁄2 miles, I never pushed him."
This saddle carried Turcotte through Secretariat's dominant performances, cementing his legacy as the jockey who guided one of the greatest racehorses ever to unprecedented glory. Turcotte's career highlights include multiple Triple Crown attempts, but this 1973 success stands as his pinnacle achievement.
Significance in Secretariat's Feats
Secretariat, often called "Big Red," is widely regarded as the greatest American racehorse of the 20th century (and arguably all time). In 1973, he became the first horse in 25 years (since Citation in 1948) to win the Triple Crown—the Kentucky Derby (1 1/4 miles), Preakness Stakes (1 3/16 miles), and Belmont Stakes (1 1/2 miles)—and his performances remain unmatched:
The saddle carries an estimate of $1,500,000 - $3,000,000 (earlier reports suggested up to $2 million or a prior private sale around that figure), underscoring its extraordinary rarity and historical weight. This auction item stands as one of the premier highlights of the broader Jim Irsay Collection sale at Christie's.
The lot in question is Lot 39 from Christie's live auction "The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame" (Auction 24627), scheduled for March 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT in New York. Titled "SECRETARIAT RACE USED 1973 TRIPLE CROWN SADDLE (RON TURCOTTE COLLECTION)", it is a custom hand-crafted leather racing saddle used by Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte during Secretariat's legendary 1973 Triple Crown campaign. The saddle was acquired by the late Jim Irsay (former owner of the Indianapolis Colts) directly from Turcotte via private sale in February 2023, and it has never before been publicly offered at auction.
This saddle, often referred to by Turcotte as his "Big Race" saddle, was custom-made for him by Kentucky saddlemaker Lee Wincher just before the 1972 Bluegrass Stakes. It includes specialized pockets for evenly distributing lead handicap weights (four removable weights remain, each inscribed "Ron Turcotte"), along with stirrup irons and leathers. It has been photomatch-verified by SIA to Secretariat's 1973 Arlington Invitational, with additional supporting documentation tying it to the Triple Crown races. The lot also includes related items: a framed panoramic photo of Secretariat's Belmont victory (signed by Turcotte), two unframed signed Belmont photos, a June 11, 1972, Newsweek magazine cover featuring Secretariat as "Superhorse," and letters of authenticity from Turcotte and SIA.
The saddle was used extensively by Turcotte aboard Secretariat during the horse's two-year-old and three-year-old seasons, including key 1973 races such as the Bayshore Stakes, Gotham Stakes, Wood Memorial, Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Arlington Invitational, Whitney Stakes, Marlboro Cup, Woodward Stakes, and Man O' War Stakes. (It was also used in other notable mounts, like Riva Ridge's 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont wins.)
Significance in Ron Turcotte's Career
Ron Turcotte, a Canadian-born Hall of Fame jockey, rode Secretariat in most of the colt's major starts from mid-1972 onward, forming one of the most iconic partnerships in Thoroughbred racing history. Turcotte's tactical brilliance was key: he trusted Secretariat's intelligence and stamina, famously allowing the horse to pace himself in the grueling 1.5-mile Belmont Stakes rather than pushing aggressively. Turcotte later reflected on the Belmont: "This horse really paced himself. He is smart: I think he knew he was going 1 1⁄2 miles, I never pushed him."
This saddle carried Turcotte through Secretariat's dominant performances, cementing his legacy as the jockey who guided one of the greatest racehorses ever to unprecedented glory. Turcotte's career highlights include multiple Triple Crown attempts, but this 1973 success stands as his pinnacle achievement.
Significance in Secretariat's Feats
Secretariat, often called "Big Red," is widely regarded as the greatest American racehorse of the 20th century (and arguably all time). In 1973, he became the first horse in 25 years (since Citation in 1948) to win the Triple Crown—the Kentucky Derby (1 1/4 miles), Preakness Stakes (1 3/16 miles), and Belmont Stakes (1 1/2 miles)—and his performances remain unmatched:
- Kentucky Derby (May 5, 1973): Won by 2.5 lengths in a track-record 1:59 2/5 for 1 1/4 miles (still the record as of 2026).
- Preakness Stakes (May 19, 1973): Won by several lengths, with a time officially recognized in 2012 as a track record of 1:53.
- Belmont Stakes (June 9, 1973): Won by an astonishing 31 lengths in 2:24 flat—the fastest 1 1/2 miles ever run on dirt—often hailed as one of the greatest athletic performances in any sport. Secretariat pulled away effortlessly, winning in hand without being fully extended.
The saddle carries an estimate of $1,500,000 - $3,000,000 (earlier reports suggested up to $2 million or a prior private sale around that figure), underscoring its extraordinary rarity and historical weight. This auction item stands as one of the premier highlights of the broader Jim Irsay Collection sale at Christie's.
JORDAN Nike sneakers
Intro
Michael Jordan begins his NBA career in 1984 with the Chicago Bulls. From the first weeks, he is considered as one of the greatest basketball players of all time by his success in the basket and his aerial jumps.
Jordan was first equipped in the pre-season with the newly released Nike Air Ship sneakers.
Jordan's success leads to an offer from Nike to design custom sneakers for him. The champion is assisted by the sports agent David Falk, a specialist in trade promotions for NBA players.
From September, Jordan is also equipped with a pair of commercial Nike Air Ship sneakers in the colors of the Bulls, black and red. The NBA bans this non-compliant color scheme on October 18 just before the opening of the season.
An NBA compliant Air Ship pair in white and red was sold for $ 1.47M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Sotheby's on October 24, 2021, lot 23. They are the earliest known NBA game used sneakers of Michael Jordan who presented them to a ball boy of the Denver Nuggets after a game on November 1. They are in size 13 while the matching Jordan measurement should be 13.5 for the right foot.
The custom design includes the lowering of the shoes for bringing the foot closer to the court. Falk coins the trademark Air Jordan for this new line of products, so highlighting that His Airness is jumping from the air in his soles. The Air Jordan 1 model is released on November 17. Nike announces : "The NBA threw them out of the game. Fortunately the NBA can't stop you from wearing them".
That release is made in the full colors of Michael Jordan's team, the Chicago Bulls, red, white and black. The NBA had indeed given way in the issue about the colors of his sneakers. The fashion for colorful sneakers was launched in basketball.
A game worn Air Jordan 1 pair marked 850102 TYPS was sold for $ 615K by Heritage on August 21, 2021, lot 80103. TY is the code for the factory in South Korea, PS stands for Player Sample and the six digits are a date code identifying the period January-February 1985. The difference between the PS and the retail version is a lower collar height, at Jordan's request for his comfort.
On May 17, 2020, Sotheby's sold for $ 560K a pair of Nike Air Jordan 1 Player Sample (PS) shoes in the colors of the Bulls manufactured from February to April 1985 (date code 0204 TYPS), lot 1.
MJ wore that pair in all games until October 1985 when his career was temporarily interrupted by a broken foot.
Michael Jordan severely broke his left foot in the third game of his second NBA season, on October 29, 1985. A pair of sneakers with date code 850102 announced by MEARS as likely the last original Air Jordan 1 game used by the champion was sold for $ 420K by Lelands on January 29, 2022, lot 8.
Jordan missed 64 games in that season. His foot was still painful when he made his NBA come back against the Bucks in Milwaukee on April 1, 1986, and he needed an extra protection.
He used a pair of Nike Air Jordan 1 Player Sample sneakers slightly taller than the original model, which were fitted with softer and wider Nike Dunk soles. The right shoe had a production defect : an eyelet was missing on both sides of the tongue, enabling the photo matching of the lacing anomaly along with a white abrasion on the same shoe.
This size thirteen Air Jordan 1 pair of size, date and manufacturing codes 13860304STPS was sold for $ 675K by Heritage on February 26, 2022, lot 80099. The right shoe is autographed by Jordan. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Nike's Air Jordan is a great success story. With a renewal of its models each year, Nike has in its 2024 catalog the Air Jordan XXXVI. The Nike Jordan cumulative sales have reached 100 million pairs. Michael Jordan is more generally one of the best marketed players in the history of sports, behind Tiger Woods.
Jordan was first equipped in the pre-season with the newly released Nike Air Ship sneakers.
Jordan's success leads to an offer from Nike to design custom sneakers for him. The champion is assisted by the sports agent David Falk, a specialist in trade promotions for NBA players.
From September, Jordan is also equipped with a pair of commercial Nike Air Ship sneakers in the colors of the Bulls, black and red. The NBA bans this non-compliant color scheme on October 18 just before the opening of the season.
An NBA compliant Air Ship pair in white and red was sold for $ 1.47M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Sotheby's on October 24, 2021, lot 23. They are the earliest known NBA game used sneakers of Michael Jordan who presented them to a ball boy of the Denver Nuggets after a game on November 1. They are in size 13 while the matching Jordan measurement should be 13.5 for the right foot.
The custom design includes the lowering of the shoes for bringing the foot closer to the court. Falk coins the trademark Air Jordan for this new line of products, so highlighting that His Airness is jumping from the air in his soles. The Air Jordan 1 model is released on November 17. Nike announces : "The NBA threw them out of the game. Fortunately the NBA can't stop you from wearing them".
That release is made in the full colors of Michael Jordan's team, the Chicago Bulls, red, white and black. The NBA had indeed given way in the issue about the colors of his sneakers. The fashion for colorful sneakers was launched in basketball.
A game worn Air Jordan 1 pair marked 850102 TYPS was sold for $ 615K by Heritage on August 21, 2021, lot 80103. TY is the code for the factory in South Korea, PS stands for Player Sample and the six digits are a date code identifying the period January-February 1985. The difference between the PS and the retail version is a lower collar height, at Jordan's request for his comfort.
On May 17, 2020, Sotheby's sold for $ 560K a pair of Nike Air Jordan 1 Player Sample (PS) shoes in the colors of the Bulls manufactured from February to April 1985 (date code 0204 TYPS), lot 1.
MJ wore that pair in all games until October 1985 when his career was temporarily interrupted by a broken foot.
Michael Jordan severely broke his left foot in the third game of his second NBA season, on October 29, 1985. A pair of sneakers with date code 850102 announced by MEARS as likely the last original Air Jordan 1 game used by the champion was sold for $ 420K by Lelands on January 29, 2022, lot 8.
Jordan missed 64 games in that season. His foot was still painful when he made his NBA come back against the Bucks in Milwaukee on April 1, 1986, and he needed an extra protection.
He used a pair of Nike Air Jordan 1 Player Sample sneakers slightly taller than the original model, which were fitted with softer and wider Nike Dunk soles. The right shoe had a production defect : an eyelet was missing on both sides of the tongue, enabling the photo matching of the lacing anomaly along with a white abrasion on the same shoe.
This size thirteen Air Jordan 1 pair of size, date and manufacturing codes 13860304STPS was sold for $ 675K by Heritage on February 26, 2022, lot 80099. The right shoe is autographed by Jordan. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Nike's Air Jordan is a great success story. With a renewal of its models each year, Nike has in its 2024 catalog the Air Jordan XXXVI. The Nike Jordan cumulative sales have reached 100 million pairs. Michael Jordan is more generally one of the best marketed players in the history of sports, behind Tiger Woods.
1
1991-1998 NBA Finals
2024 SOLD for $ 8M by Sotheby's
The Chicago Bulls entered and won their first NBA finals in 1991 with Michael Jordan elected Most Valuable Player of the event. Prior to the match a Public relations executive of the club had asked the champion for an individual game worn sneaker should the Bulls be victorious. So did Jordan.
The same wins happened again in 1992. An amused Jordan considered that his gift should become a tradition and presented a game worn shoe from that final to the same club officer. A photo was made of the smiling champion with one shoe missing.
The story was repeated in 1993. After a two year gap the Bulls had three further finals wins, in 1996, 1997 and 1998, with Jordan each time elected the MVP. New presentations of shoes were made.
The full set of six sneakers is made of Nike Air Jordan VI, VII, VIII, XI, XII and XIV, one of each. It was sold for $ 8M by Sotheby's on February 2, 2024, lot 4. It is accompanied by the 1/1 of the 1992, 1993, 1996 and 1998 photos.
The Dynasty Collection refers to a historic set of six individual game-worn Air Jordan sneakers that Michael Jordan wore during the clinching games of each of his six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. This collection, auctioned by Sotheby's in February 2024, achieved a record-breaking sale and stands as one of the most significant pieces of Jordan memorabilia ever offered.
Key Details
The same wins happened again in 1992. An amused Jordan considered that his gift should become a tradition and presented a game worn shoe from that final to the same club officer. A photo was made of the smiling champion with one shoe missing.
The story was repeated in 1993. After a two year gap the Bulls had three further finals wins, in 1996, 1997 and 1998, with Jordan each time elected the MVP. New presentations of shoes were made.
The full set of six sneakers is made of Nike Air Jordan VI, VII, VIII, XI, XII and XIV, one of each. It was sold for $ 8M by Sotheby's on February 2, 2024, lot 4. It is accompanied by the 1/1 of the 1992, 1993, 1996 and 1998 photos.
The Dynasty Collection refers to a historic set of six individual game-worn Air Jordan sneakers that Michael Jordan wore during the clinching games of each of his six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. This collection, auctioned by Sotheby's in February 2024, achieved a record-breaking sale and stands as one of the most significant pieces of Jordan memorabilia ever offered.
Key Details
- Auction House and Date: Sotheby's, sold on February 2, 2024 (during a live auction in New York).
- Sale Price: $8,032,800 (including buyer's premium), setting a new global auction record for game-worn sneakers at the time.
- Provenance and Origin: The sneakers originated from a unique tradition started by Jordan after the 1991 championship. Following each title-clinching game, he gifted one of his worn shoes (often photographed with him wearing only one post-game) to Tim Hallam, the Chicago Bulls' longtime Director of Public & Media Relations. Hallam collected one from each of the six championships, leading to the complete set. Four of the sneakers (Air Jordan VI, VIII, XI, and XII) are autographed by Jordan.
- Significance: This is considered the most valuable and comprehensive collection of championship-related Air Jordans ever brought to market. It captures Jordan's unparalleled dynasty era (six titles in eight years, six Finals MVPs), symbolizing his dominance, cultural impact, and the birth of the global sneaker phenomenon tied to his brand. The sale ranked as the second-highest for Jordan memorabilia overall (behind his $10.1 million 1998 Finals jersey) and elevated the sneaker collecting market.
- Air Jordan VI (1991) — Worn in the clinching game vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Bulls won series 4-1).
- Air Jordan VII (1992) — Worn in the clinching game vs. Portland Trail Blazers (Bulls won series 4-2).
- Air Jordan VIII (1993) — Worn in the clinching game vs. Phoenix Suns (Bulls won series 4-2).
- Air Jordan XI (1996) — Worn in the clinching game vs. Seattle SuperSonics (Bulls won series 4-2; part of the 72-win season).
- Air Jordan XII (1997) — Worn in the clinching game vs. Utah Jazz (Bulls won series 4-2; famous "Flu Game" series).
- Air Jordan XIV (1998) — Worn in the clinching game vs. Utah Jazz (Bulls won series 4-2; the iconic push-off and final shot of the "Last Dance" era).
2
1998 NBA Finals
2023 SOLD for $ 2.24M by Sotheby's
The 1998 Finals were a key event in NBA history, opposing the Utah Jazz and the Chicago Bulls. Michael Jordan, who had hitherto made his whole NBA career with the Bulls, won the Most Valuable Player award of the Finals and his sixth NBA championship.
Game 1 of the 1998 Finals was lost by the Chicago Bulls against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. The road jersey worn by Michael Jordan in that Game was sold for $ 10M by Sotheby's on September 15, 2022, lot 1.
Two days later in the same venue, Game 2 was a must win for the Bulls. Utah was so hostile to their visitors that Jordan's kids did not attend. It was won by the Chicago Bulls 93-88, with Jordan scoring 37. The series was thus tied 1-1 at that time.
The current model of the Nike Air Jordan sneakers was the number XIII, featuring a holographic eye and an outsole resembling a panther paw in a reference to the agility of a cat.
The size 13 black and red pair worn by Jordan in the second half of Game 2 was silver signed on both toes by him in the locker room and gifted to the ball boy as a reward for having retrieved a jacket. They are the only pair worn by Jordan in the 1998 NBA Finals that have been photo-matched by MeiGray Group.
It was sold for $ 2.24M by Sotheby's on April 11, 2023, lot 1.
Game 1 of the 1998 Finals was lost by the Chicago Bulls against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. The road jersey worn by Michael Jordan in that Game was sold for $ 10M by Sotheby's on September 15, 2022, lot 1.
Two days later in the same venue, Game 2 was a must win for the Bulls. Utah was so hostile to their visitors that Jordan's kids did not attend. It was won by the Chicago Bulls 93-88, with Jordan scoring 37. The series was thus tied 1-1 at that time.
The current model of the Nike Air Jordan sneakers was the number XIII, featuring a holographic eye and an outsole resembling a panther paw in a reference to the agility of a cat.
The size 13 black and red pair worn by Jordan in the second half of Game 2 was silver signed on both toes by him in the locker room and gifted to the ball boy as a reward for having retrieved a jacket. They are the only pair worn by Jordan in the 1998 NBA Finals that have been photo-matched by MeiGray Group.
It was sold for $ 2.24M by Sotheby's on April 11, 2023, lot 1.
1998 Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball
1999 SOLD for $ 3.05M by Guernsey's
The home run is the feat around which the rules of baseball were established. In the modern history of that sport, the two most important records have been broken.
The highest number of homers in a single season was 61 by Roger Maris in 1961. Mark McGwire broke this record at 70 homers in 1998 and Barry Bonds at 71 homers in 2001.
The 70th homer ball of 'Big Mac' was sold for $ 3.05M by Guernsey's on January 12, 1999. It was reported post sale by CBS News.
The largest number of homers scored in the major leagues during a career had been 755 by Hank Aaron in 1976. Barry Bonds equaled and then exceeded this record in August 2007. On September 5, 2007, Bonds scores his 762nd and last major league homer. He is suspected of doping and cannot get a contract for the next year.
These two players were not elected at the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2010 McGwire confirmed that he had used doping substances for most of his career. Bonds always denied a similar practice.
The highest number of homers in a single season was 61 by Roger Maris in 1961. Mark McGwire broke this record at 70 homers in 1998 and Barry Bonds at 71 homers in 2001.
The 70th homer ball of 'Big Mac' was sold for $ 3.05M by Guernsey's on January 12, 1999. It was reported post sale by CBS News.
The largest number of homers scored in the major leagues during a career had been 755 by Hank Aaron in 1976. Barry Bonds equaled and then exceeded this record in August 2007. On September 5, 2007, Bonds scores his 762nd and last major league homer. He is suspected of doping and cannot get a contract for the next year.
These two players were not elected at the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2010 McGwire confirmed that he had used doping substances for most of his career. Bonds always denied a similar practice.
2000-2001 Tiger Woods Clubs
2022 SOLD for $ 5.2M by Golden Age
Tiger Woods won in 2000 the US Open, the British Open and the PGA championship. When he added his victory in the 2001 Masters, he became the first modern golf champion to be the current holder of the four major championships. This feat is referred as the Tiger Slam.
He had used the same set of clubs for these four victories. A set of eight of these Titleist irons of reference 681-T plus one pitching wedge and two sand wedges was sold for $ 5.2M by Golden Age on April 9, 2022, lot 1. They were illustrated post sale by Golf Planète. The irons are numbered from 2 to 9.
The provenance is impeccable. When Titleist presented a new set of equipment to the champion in 2001 after the Masters, the Tiger Slam equipment went to be owned by a vice-president of that brand who sold it at auction in 2010 to the 2022 consignor. Many photo-matches from the 2000-2001 season are announced, and the set fully matches a description in a period magazine including a slightly modified angle in a wedge.
The 1930 Grand Slam of Bobby Jones had been made of the Amateur Championship in Scotland, the British Open, the US Open and the US Amateur, all being won in the same calendar year.
He had used the same set of clubs for these four victories. A set of eight of these Titleist irons of reference 681-T plus one pitching wedge and two sand wedges was sold for $ 5.2M by Golden Age on April 9, 2022, lot 1. They were illustrated post sale by Golf Planète. The irons are numbered from 2 to 9.
The provenance is impeccable. When Titleist presented a new set of equipment to the champion in 2001 after the Masters, the Tiger Slam equipment went to be owned by a vice-president of that brand who sold it at auction in 2010 to the 2022 consignor. Many photo-matches from the 2000-2001 season are announced, and the set fully matches a description in a period magazine including a slightly modified angle in a wedge.
The 1930 Grand Slam of Bobby Jones had been made of the Amateur Championship in Scotland, the British Open, the US Open and the US Amateur, all being won in the same calendar year.
2004 Kobe Bryant Locker
2024 SOLD for $ 2.9M by Sotheby's
Opened in 1999 and renamed crypto.com arena in 2021, the Staples Center is the home of the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe Bryant made his whole career with that club, from 1996 to 2016.
The champion used for his home games in the second part of his career a locker identified by a nameplate in white lettering on purple. The piece of furniture in wood and metal 2.50 m high has been photo-matched by MeiGray with eleven images from 2004 to 2016, including a showering of champagne on him after his final game. The nameplate has been authenticated by Sports Investors Authentication.
It was sold for $ 2.9M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Sotheby's on August 2, 2024, lot 1. A portion of the proceeds was to benefit the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation.
The champion used for his home games in the second part of his career a locker identified by a nameplate in white lettering on purple. The piece of furniture in wood and metal 2.50 m high has been photo-matched by MeiGray with eleven images from 2004 to 2016, including a showering of champagne on him after his final game. The nameplate has been authenticated by Sports Investors Authentication.
It was sold for $ 2.9M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Sotheby's on August 2, 2024, lot 1. A portion of the proceeds was to benefit the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation.
2024 Shohei Ohtani Baseball
2024 SOLD for $ 4.4M by Goldin
Shohei Ohtani made his professional debut in the Japanese baseball league in 2013, aged 19. He joined the MLB in 2018 with the Los Angeles Angels and was transferred in 2024 to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He plays with Team Japan in international tournaments.
In 2021 he scored 46 home runs and 26 stolen bases in a single season.
On September 19, 2024 in the seventh inning of the Dodgers against the Miami Marlins, Ohtani crushed all previous records with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. That feat of power and speed was acclaimed by baseball fans as the founding of a symbolic 50/50 Club. The 40/40 club is listing 6 batters.
The baseball of his 50th 2024 homer reached a dining area beyond the field. Its lucky finder was escorted by ballpark security immediately and had it authenticated and signed by the official MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. The place were hit is visible on the ball. It was sold for $ 4.4M by Goldin on October 23, 2024, lot 1. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Ohtani finished the 2024 season by playing in 159 games, with a .310 batting average, 54 home runs, 130 RBI and 59 stolen bases.
In 2021 he scored 46 home runs and 26 stolen bases in a single season.
On September 19, 2024 in the seventh inning of the Dodgers against the Miami Marlins, Ohtani crushed all previous records with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. That feat of power and speed was acclaimed by baseball fans as the founding of a symbolic 50/50 Club. The 40/40 club is listing 6 batters.
The baseball of his 50th 2024 homer reached a dining area beyond the field. Its lucky finder was escorted by ballpark security immediately and had it authenticated and signed by the official MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. The place were hit is visible on the ball. It was sold for $ 4.4M by Goldin on October 23, 2024, lot 1. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Ohtani finished the 2024 season by playing in 159 games, with a .310 batting average, 54 home runs, 130 RBI and 59 stolen bases.
2024 Freddie Freeman Baseball
2024 SOLD for $ 1.56M by SCP
The 2024 World Series was a 4-1 win of the Los Angeles Dodgers against the New York Yankees.
In the Game 1 in October 25, Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers hit a walk-off grand slam home run, an unprecedented feat in the 120 editions of the MLB history. Despite an injury to an ankle one month earlier that was still needing surgery, he was also the first ever player to score a homer in the first four games of a World Series, of which he got the 2024 Most Valuable Player award.
A grand slam is a homer that went through the three bases. A walk off is a homer that terminates a game.
The ball of the Game 1 grand slam had rolled under the seat of a ten year old. It was sold for $ 1.56M by SCP on December 14, 2024, lot 2. It is photo-matched by Sports Investors.
In the Game 1 in October 25, Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers hit a walk-off grand slam home run, an unprecedented feat in the 120 editions of the MLB history. Despite an injury to an ankle one month earlier that was still needing surgery, he was also the first ever player to score a homer in the first four games of a World Series, of which he got the 2024 Most Valuable Player award.
A grand slam is a homer that went through the three bases. A walk off is a homer that terminates a game.
The ball of the Game 1 grand slam had rolled under the seat of a ten year old. It was sold for $ 1.56M by SCP on December 14, 2024, lot 2. It is photo-matched by Sports Investors.
