Event Details

JULIEN’S AUCTIONS IS PROUD TO PRESENT OUR “SPORTS LEGENDS” AUCTION, A MARQUEE SPORTS EVENT TAKING PLACE JUNE 23rd, 24th & 25th IN BEVERLY HILLS AND ONLINE.

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Julien’s Auction is hosting a championship lineup of important sports memorabilia and collectibles from the world’s greatest “Sports Legends”, which is heading to the auction block Friday, June 23rd, Saturday, June 24th, and Sunday, June 25th 2023, live in Beverly Hills and online. An exceptional collection of nearly 900 pieces of sports history spanning the worlds of basketball, soccer, baseball, hockey, football, tennis, golf, the Olympics and beyond from the likes of Pelé, Kobe Bryant, Floyd Mayweather, Diego Maradona, Babe Ruth, Rafael Nadal and many others will be offered.

Standing atop the podium will be historic items of exceptional provenance from the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan, which will be offered at auction to benefit the James R. Jordan Foundation International (JRJFI). The James R. Jordan Foundation International provides a pathway out of poverty by empowering youth and strengthening families through education and partnerships so they can become successful human beings and productive contributors to society. The James R. Jordan Foundation is dedicated to supporting students and families through access to knowledge and by exposing them to resources that contribute to their life success.



On September 12, 1984, the world witnessed the birth of basketball’s greatest sports superstar and a pop culture icon when Michael Jeffrey Jordan signed his first professional contract with the Chicago Bulls. In his spectacular first season, M.J. led the Bulls to the playoffs, winning the 1985 NBA Rookie of the Year award and starting in all 82 games and scoring an average of 28.2 points per game. That same year, the upstart Nike sneaker brand gave Jordan his own signature shoe and a $250,000 contract as a rookie–an unprecedented feat in the company’s and retail history–and created one of the most iconic sneakers of all time, the Air Jordans. Nike’s first year profit expectations in the $3 million mark were shattered when the “sneaker” craze for Air Jordans resulted in a remarkable $126 million in sales. Air Jordans are still one of the most popular and enduring brands with Jordan’s “Jumpman” logo instantly recognized and celebrated today. That first season, the rookie also doubled the team’s average game attendance and set off one of the most devoted fan-bases in all of sports history. The basketball icon led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and won the NBA Finals MVP award in each of those championships during his 13 seasons with the Bulls that included a year and a half hiatus to play baseball in the Chicago White Sox minor league system. Among the numerous accolades and honors bestowed on the 14-time All-Star and five-time MVP legend include being named the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by ESPN’s “SportsCentury’s” distinguished 48-member panel, voted Best Athlete of All Time by Harris Poll, induction to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2009 and the declaration on the official National Basketball Association website: "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time."

Going for auction gold will be a Champion brand 1992 “Dream Team” USA commemorative jersey worn and later signed by Michael Jordan. The 1992 Summer Olympic games marked a historic time in NBA and Olympics history when Team USA allowed for the first time the participation of NBA players. The USA Basketball committee extended an invitation to Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls who joined an all-star roster that included Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls, Chris Mullin of the Golden State Warriors, Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers, Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks and Charles Barkley of the Philadelphia 76ers among others who would later become known as “The Dream Team." Jordan and the Dream Team went undefeated in all eight games at the Olympics and made history by becoming the first team to score more than 100+points in every game. Jordan was the only player on the USA team that studied tape of their opposition and started every game in the Olympics. In 2009, the 1992 USA Basketball team was elected to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame and was also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. The Dream Team was later inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2017. This incredible jersey that represents Jordan’s triumph with the greatest team ever assembled in any sport during Team USA’s storied quest for Olympic gold.

Three exceptional items representing Jordan’s virtuosity and showmanship on the hardwood are his 1982 commemorative signed North Carolina Tar Heels training jersey, a Nike Air Jordan brand training jersey worn by Michael Jordan during his personal training workouts, and a pair of limited-edition Converse brand Pro leather Mid Ltd shoes signed by Michael Jordan commemorating the 30th anniversary of Jordan's big shot to help North Carolina win the 1982 NCAA title. Dazzling pieces from Michael Jordan’s family and friends will also be offered such as a Longines diamond and stainless-steel automatic wristwatch (estimate: $10,000-$20,000) (photo right), owned and worn by the beloved, award winning humanitarian and NY Times best-selling author Deloris Jordan who was honored and presented the "Women Who Make A Difference" Award by Longines on September 9, 2009. Accompanied by a February 2010 issue of Town & Country. Proceeds of these aforementioned items will benefit the James R. Jordan Foundation International, where Mrs. Jordan has served as the President and Founder for almost two decades. Since 1989 when she co-founded with her son, the Michael Jordan Foundation to raise money for disadvantaged children, Mrs. Jordan has established multiple charities and philanthropic initiatives in Chicago, Illinois around the world and such as the Kenya Women and Children's Wellness Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, Vision for Families Program, The A-Team Scholars program, the Time Out Summer Camp, the Reading Together Program, and the S.T.E.A.M. program. A Theo Fennell brand diamond and 18k white gold charm bracelet custom-made for Jada Pinkett Smith that features the names of Jada's inner family circle: Will Smith, Trey Smith, Jaden Smith, and Willow Smith has also been generously offered by Smith to benefit the James R. Jordan Foundation International.

“My family and I have been blessed to have been a part of the worldwide basketball community and to have spent a lifetime of our work giving back to the sport by helping other families and their children reach their fullest potential,” said Deloris Jordan. “The auction proceeds of these cherished items from our family and friends will help further the James R. Jordan Foundation International’s critical work in lesser served communities and we wish to express our gratitude to all of the participants in this upcoming auction for their support and efforts of our cause.”

Another outstanding highlight comes from none other than NBA legend Lebron James. A one of one 2019-20 Lebron James National Treasures Colossal Logoman patch card (PSA Authentic) will head to the auction block. James broke the NBA all-time scoring record, during the Los Angeles Lakers game vs the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California on February 7, 2023 where James scored 38 points in the game and broke the record once owned by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points). He is a four-time NBA champion and a 19-time All-Star who has averaged 27.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists per game across 20 seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Lakers. His record-shattering career includes four regular season MVP awards, four Finals MVP awards, three All-Star MVP awards, and two Olympic gold medals. In addition, he holds the all-time record for playoff points scored, ranks third in all-time points scored, has been selected to the All-NBA First Team a record-breaking 13 times, and was the first high school basketball underclassman to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. James’ ascent to become one of the greatest NBA players in history began after entering the 2003 draft lineup as the hottest prospect and being chosen first pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers, where his subsequently stellar performance earned him the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. An incredible artifact from that year includes a 2003-04 Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings NBA game full ticket from October 29, 2003 where Lebron James made his NBA debut.

A set of five Lemon & Son brand sterling silver engraved Kentucky Derby jockey trophies won by the legendary horse jockey Bill Hartack will make a grand entrance in the auction’s winner’s circle. The collection of sterling silver trophies each featuring a horse and rider on the lid top, and a pair of horseshoe-shaped wreath handles. Considered one of horse racing’s greatest jockeys of all time, Bill Hartack’s phenomenal three-decade career of 4,272 wins in 21,535 mounts elevated the sport to new popularity and heights. Hartack became the first jockey to earn $3 million in a year, a record that wasn’t touched for another 10 years and was inducted to the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame at only 27-years-old in 1959. After beginning his career at the age of 17 as an exercise rider and stable boy and eventual rider for trainer Norbin “Junie” Corbin, Hartack went on to win 350 races across North America, placing him in second place behind Bill Shoemaker. After his third racing season in 1954, Hartack became the leading jockey in wins and money earned and the second jockey to ride 400 winners in a single year in 1955. Continuing the hot streak into 1956, he rode in 1,702 races and at the peak of his horse racing career rode five horses to victory during multiple Kentucky Derbies at Churchill Downs in Louisville (Iron Liege: 1957, Venetian Way: 1960, Decidedly: 1962, Northern Dancer: 1964, Majestic Prince: 1969) tying with jockey Eddie Arcaro for the most Kentucky Derby wins in Racing history. While they both tie for the record with five Derby wins, it took Arcaro 21 tries compared to Hartack’s 12 tries. Hartack also won the Preakness Stakes three times at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland (Fabius: 1956, Northern Dancer: 1964, Majestic Prince: 1969). Hartack’s awards and honors include: the United States Champion Jockey by Earnings award in 1956 and 1957, the United States Champion Jockey by Wins award from 1955-1957 and in 1960, the 1960 Celtic Ash at the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York.



As the three-time World Cup Champion and FIFA Player of the Century, Pelé’s legacy as the greatest football player of all time, 20th century cultural figure and humanitarian and indelible impact on the world will be well represented in this auction. “O Rei (The King)” Pelé became a global phenomenon after scoring six goals at the 1958 World Cup and as the youngest player to score in a World Cup Final at seventeen years old. His two goals scored in the 5-2 victory over Sweden led Brazil to their first World Cup title win and established his native country’s world dominance in the sport. With Santos FC, Pelé would go on to win ten Campeonato Paulista titles and become the top scorer with 58 goals, a record that is still held today. He has a Guinness World Record of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games and is Santos’s all-time top goal scorer with 643 goals in 659 games.

A stellar collection of relics from “Football’s National Treasure” include (with estimates): a Taca Brazil first place gold tone medallion presented to Pelé by the Confederacao Brasileira de Desportos [Brazilian Confederation of Sports] as a member of the Taca Brazil [Brazil Cup] Championship-winning Santos FC in the 1960s. The medal features an athlete and soccer ball framed by laurels above and wings below. Santos FC won the Taca Brazil with Pelé for five consecutive years from 1961-1965, and was victorious in the Copa Libertadores in 1962 and 1963; a Brazil jersey match worn by Pelé during the international match between Brazil and Yugoslavia at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 18, 1971 which Pelé gifted to Yugoslavia player Dragan Holcer at the end of the game, Pelé's last game with the Brazil National team before he moved to the United States to play with the New York Cosmos. This jersey would be displayed in a cafe in Split, Croatia for more than 20 years; an Esportes Moura brand Santos jersey match worn and signed by Pelé during a match friendly vs Huracan in December 1973; a tribute trophy presented to Pelé for being the symbol of Brazilian character by Mayor Avallone Jr. in 1958; a gold tone tribute trophy presented to Pelé in recognition of his 900th career goal by Clube Atletico Mineiro on November 11, 1968; an original oil painting of a colorized Pelé rushing past Tarcisio Burgnich of Italy, in black in white, during the 1970 World Cup Final vs Italy and a painting of Pelé being carried by fans after Brazil's victory in the same final both from Koestler Award-winning portrait artist Glen Folan; a Mitre Ultimax brand football inscribed "London - 3.11.2000," stamped with the crest of the England Football Association and includes the print that reads, "The Final / F.A. Cup at Wembley"; Pelé's 2007-2012 Brazilian passport; a Rawlings brand official Major League baseball signed by Muhammad Ali and Pelé and more.

Additional highlights in this auction include:

DIEGO MARADONA: MATCH-WORN 1990 WORLD CUP ARGENTINA JERSEY (MEARS) AND ORIGINAL PHOTO PRINT SIGNED BY PHOTOGRAPHER RICARDO ALFIERI
An Adidas brand 1990 World Cup Argentina jersey match worn by Diego Maradona during the Group B match between Argentina and the Soviet Union at Stadio San Paolo in Naples, Italy on June 13, 1990. Together with an original color photograph print featuring Maradona signed by photographer Ricardo Alfieri. Argentina defeated the Soviet Union, 2-0, and advanced to the Knockout stage of the World Cup. Argentina eventually made it to the World Cup Final, but lost 1-0, to West Germany on July 8, 1990. This World Cup Final was the first and only rematch in FIFA history after Argentina defeated West Germany in 1986.

KOBE BRYANT GAME-WORN AND SIGNED 2003-04 LAKERS BASKETBALL SHOES
A Nike brand Hurrache 2K4 model basketball shoes game signed by NBA icon Kobe Bryant, worn during a Los Angeles Lakers vs the Minnesota Timberwolves game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on March 26, 2004 where Bryant scored 35 points on 13 for 21 shooting in the Lakers' 90-73 victory over the Timberwolves. The five-time NBA Champion, a 2007-08 MVP, a18-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA team, and a 12-time All-Defensive team during his 20 seasons with the Lakers averaged 24 points, 5.1 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game during the 2003-04 NBA season.

BABE RUTH 1932 SANELLA MARGARINE TYPE-4-CENTERED W/83 CARD (PSA 7) and SIGNED BASEBALL
This card of the seven-time World Series champion, winning three with the Boston Red Sox and four with the New York Yankees and baseball hall of fame legend is graded a "NM-7" by PSA and baseball signed by Babe Ruth is graded a "6" by PSA.

MICHAEL JORDAN: 1986 FLEER #57 ROOKIE CARD (BECKETT 9)
The card of the six-time NBA champion, 14-time All Star, 10-time scoring champion and a five-time MVP is graded a "Mint 9" by Beckett.

ARGENTINA 1996 FOOTBALL TEAM: SUMMER OLYMPICS SILVER MEDAL
A silver tone Olympics medal owned by former Secretary General of Conmebol Eduardo Deluca after the Argentina National football team took second place at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Georgia on August 3, 1996.

RAFAEL NADAL: MATCH-WORN 2010 WIMBLEDON SHIRT
A Nike brand shirt match worn by Rafael Nadal during the 2010 Wimbledon final at the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, England where Nadal completed a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 set and defeated Tomas Berdych to win his second and last Wimbledon title.

TOM BRADY: 1996 MICHIGAN VS UCLA COLLEGE FOOTBALL DEBUT FULL TICKET STUB (PSA 6)
A Michigan Wolverines vs UCLA Bruins College full Football game ticket stub on September 28, 1996 where Tom Brady made his NCAA debut for the Wolverines. With a 38-9 lead over the Bruins in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines put in Brady, their third string quarterback at the time, who completed one of two passes for 13 yards in garbage time at the end of the game.

Other items include: an Everlast red boxing glove signed by "Fighter of the Decade" Floyd Mayweather; a 1930 FIFA World Cup silver medal awarded to Alejandro Scopelli, a member of the runner-up Argentina National football team at the inaugural 1930 World Cup; an Adidas brand Arsenal jersey match worn by goalkeeper Emiliano (Emi) Martinez in the fourth round of the FA Cup vs Bournemouth on January 27, 2020 with dried blood stains sustained after his clash with Bournemouth player Adam Smith at the end of the game; and more.

“Julien’s has put together an all-star collection of nearly 900 of the most sought-after treasures in all of sports history in this year’s Sports Legends two-day blockbuster,” said Martin Nolan, Executive Director and Founder of Julien’s Auctions. “From Michael Jordan to Pelé to Lebron James, we’re proud to offer these museum quality artifacts that capture the athleticism and greatness of these larger-than-life sports heroes and their teams who at the top of their game in their record-breaking career moments transcended beyond the world of sports.”

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