The world of sports memorabilia is as diverse as the fans who collect it. While traditional items like jerseys and autographed balls hold timeless appeal, the eccentric side of sports collecting has given rise to a range of strange and unexpected must-have assets.
From seemingly mundane objects to quirky remnants of the game, here are six of the craziest team assets that have transformed into must-have collectibles:
1) Kobe floor piece
A piece of the Staples Center game floor specially made for Kobe Bryant’s last game sold on NBA’s Auction Marketplace for $179,100.
Consisting of four panels, each measuring four feet by eight feet, the piece bore the Lakers legend’s iconic number 8. Adding to its significance, the floor was personally autographed by Bryant himself following his remarkable feat of scoring 60 points in his unforgettable final game on April 13th, 2016.
The buyer of the piece remained anonymous. But what we do know is that it proved to be a shrewd purchase – it was sold four years later for $631,200!
2) Wrigley seats
As part of Wrigley Field’s 2014 renovation, some of the historic seats that were ripped out and replaced were customized and sold to fans on MLB’s Auction Marketplace.
It’s all about preserving a piece of the stadium’s rich history while giving fans a unique memento to cherish.
3) Olympic assets
In the past, cleaning up after sporting events such as the Olympics was an expensive and ecologically harmful process. The amount of waste generated, including podiums, scorecards, balls and signage, was enormous.
This is where CDi stepped in and forged partnerships with the organizers of the Rio and London Olympics. Our aim was to repurpose the waste from these events that was headed for landfill, into exclusive memorabilia for the Olympics.
This innovative approach reduced the environmental impact of the games and gave fans sustainable souvenirs – a win-win!
4) Chad Smith drum kit
“Red hot” memorabilia doesn’t always need to be directly from the game. Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith auctioned the drum kit he played during the band’s Super Bowl half-time show appearance in 2014.
Auctioned on NFL’s Marketplace, the custom-built Series Pearl drum set, which included limited edition Sabian cymbals, went for $12,575 after 50 bids – with all proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
5) Marc-Andre Fleury’s trash
Donut worry, be happy! The winning bidder of Marc-Andre Fleury’s empty Krispy Kreme box must’ve been in a good mood, paying $195 for the privilege on NHL’s Auction Marketplace.
The box – officially licensed by the National Hockey League, no less – was personally hand-signed by the Canadian goaltender with the inscription “Got the Doughnuts!”.
As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
6) Makeshift truck bumper
We end with Alabama center Landon Dickerson, who auctioned off his wooden railroad-tie truck bumper, with the proceeds going to a Florida firefighter who was fighting cancer at the time.
Long story short: Dickerson’s truck bumper was ripped off, so in the name of being cost-effective, he replaced it with a railroad tie.
The makeshift bumper was signed by Dickerson and his teammates and auctioned with a helmet signed by the National Championship team.
It just goes to show that anything goes in the world of sports memorabilia – all you need is an engaged fanbase and auction capability!
