Sotheby's To Auction Wilt Chamberlain's Game-Worn 1972 NBA Finals Lakers Jersey
The historic uniform is expected to sell for more than $4 million USD.
After auctioning off a number of Hiroshi Fujiwara’s personal belongings last month, Sotheby’s on Wednesday announced its next big-ticket bidding item: Wilt Chamberlain’s Los Angeles Lakers jersey, worn during the 1972 NBA Finals.
Chamberlain sported the uniform while leading the SoCal team to its championship win against the New York Knicks. Despite tending to a broken hand, the celebrated NBA player managed to score 24 points and secure 29 rebounds during the final game, and he ultimately took home the NBA Finals’ MVP Award that season.
“This jersey holds an extraordinarily significant place in the history of Los Angeles, not only adorned by the man many consider to be the greatest player ever to step on the court, but as a relic from one of the greatest franchises in sports history,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of streetwear and collectibles, in a statement. “We’re incredibly excited to offer one of the most elite sports artifacts ever to come to market and to bring it back to its home city for a monthlong display where it can be cherished by Lakers fans and basketball enthusiasts alike.”
The historic jersey, which is expected to fetch more than $4 million USD, will officially become available for bidding on August 28, with the auction running through September 27. It will be showcased during a public exhibition at Sotheby’s Los Angeles gallery from August 2 to 31, before moving to the auction house’s New York outpost, from September 11 to 27. See Chamberlain wearing the winning threads above.
Elsewhere, JAY-Z is reportedly interested in buying Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
