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A handful of Michael Jordan memorabilia has sold for millions. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, a jersey worn by the former Chicago Bulls star during a 45-point game in the 1996-1997 season sold for $4.7 million at auction. This met expectations, as the auction house Sotheby’s had projected it would sell for between $4 million and $6 million. “One of the finest Michael Jordan jerseys ever to come to auction, MJ wore this road-red jersey for 5 months and 17 games during the Chicago Bulls legendary 1996-1997 championship season,” Sotheby’s commented on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sotheby's (@sothebys) Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles, commented to the Chicago Sun-Times: “This jersey symbolizes not just Michael Jordan at the height of his celebrity and prowess, but also a pivotal moment in basketball history. Today’s results highlight the enduring strength of the game-worn market, especially those pieces associated with Michael...
Snoop Dogg will be auctioning some of his own memorabilia. Variety reports the rapper is partnering with sports-and-music auction house The Realest — created by producer and radio host Scott “DJ Skee” Keeney — to auction off items through a project titled “ The Shiznit.” Items will include photos, Playstations, production books, autographed TV scripts, platinum discs, autographed jackets and jerseys, master recording tapes (copyrights to the music will not be included), and an autographed Death Row Records chain. “The items he is putting up are iconic,” Keeney told Variety. “Everything from lyrics, awards — like ‘Pimp of the Year’! — unreleased tapes, outfits, sample toys, photos, scripts, concert riders, even a Snoop-authenticated smoked blunt in a crazy display case and ashtray.” Furthermore, Keeney, who launched The Realest in December 2023 and raised $4.6 million in seed funding in a round led by KB Partners, has a rigorous process to ensure the offerings being sold are...
The untimely passing of Florence “Flo-Jo” Griffith Joyner was a tough loss in the sports industry, especially for her husband Al Joyner. In remembrance of his late wife, the track and field Olympian recently received a special surprise. Atlanta Black Star reports that “Storage Wars” host Rene Nezhoda gave Joyner the opportunity to buy back Flo-Jo’s memorabilia. After buying the rare items from the owner of Bargain Hunters thrift store, Nezhoda’s initial plan was to put the items up for auction. According to the TV star, many of Flo-Jo’s family members and friends reached out to him, which resulted in him ultimately making a deal with Joyner. “I want to be very clear. This is not charity; I am making a profit. Al knows what I paid for it and he is the only person that knows what I paid for it,” Nezhoda stated, according to Atlanta Black Star. “I told him the profit I want to make. It’s like a track runner, you want to win.” He added: “We worked out a deal where I can give it back to...
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, millions of people around the world are coming together to help those in need. Whether they’re giving back, donating supplies, or contributing to relief funds, companies and people are doing their part to support one another. Sports, in particular, is an industry that’s taken a heavy hit as many events and games have been suspended indefinitely. While all sports are on pause right now, some big-name athletes like Zion Williamson, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Love are digging into their wallets to pitch into the relief efforts. Most recently, sports agency Octagon has launched its own initiative, Athletes for COVID-19 Relief , as a fundraising tool for all athletes to show their support for those in need. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nathan Adrian (@nathangadrian) Through this fund, Forbes reports that over 100 athletes from various sports have donated their signed memorabilia to help raise money to go towards supplies and other relief...
Hall of Famer Charles Barkley recently revealed in several interviews that he has plans to sell off some of his NBA memorabilia to help provide funds for affordable housing in his hometown of Leeds, Alabama. Barkley told WJOX 94.5 that he wants to make a difference in his old community and believes the best way to do so is to sell off his valuables, including his 1993 NBA MVP trophy, his 1996 Olympic gold medal and more memorabilia from the 1992 Dream Team. “I don’t think I have to walk around with my gold medal or my MVP trophy for people to know I’m Charles Barkley, so I’m going to sell all that crap,” Barkley said on the Dan Le Batard show last Thursday. “That just clutters my house. I used to keep it at my grandmother’s house, but they all passed away, and I don’t want that stuff crapping up my house.” The eyesores in the neighborhood, or rotted-out houses Barkley knew of growing up, have good reason to become spaces for affordable housing. “I want to work with the city of...
Michael Jordan’s sports memorabilia remains highly sought after. AFROTECH™ has covered multiple auction sales featuring memorabilia from Jordan’s legendary NBA career. This includes a jersey worn during his 45-point game during the 1996-1997 season with the Chicago Bulls, which sold for $4.7 million at Sotheby’s auction house in November 2024. “One of the finest Michael Jordan jerseys ever to come to auction, MJ wore this road-red jersey for 5 months and 17 games during the Chicago Bulls legendary 1996-1997 championship season,” Sotheby’s detailed on their Instagram. “In the 1990s, the jersey’s image landed on trading cards, magazines, newspapers, and collectable posters like these from Starline or Costacos Brothers that decorated the walls of kids’ rooms around the world.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sotheby's (@sothebys) In February 2024, a set of six individual sneakers sported by Jordan during his victorious championship season sold for $8 million, which was the...
JuJu Watkins has secured a groundbreaking NIL deal. The USC Trojans basketball athlete currently boasts a $739,000 name, image, and likeness (NIL) valuation , thanks to deals with Ritz Crackers, Degree, United Airlines, and NYX Cosmetics. “We are beyond excited to welcome JuJu to the NYX Professional Makeup family,” said Yasmin Dastmalchi, general manager of NYX Professional Makeup, in a news release. “JuJu’s spirit, talent, and commitment to excellence make her a perfect pick for our brand. We can’t wait to support her as she uses her voice to further inspire our community and share our core values.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Juju Watkins (@jujubballin) Watkins is already making groundbreaking moves as a collegiate athlete. As AFROTECH ™ previously told you, she extended a multi-year contract with Nike, becoming “one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball.” More recently, she expanded her portfolio by adding Fanatics and Fanatics...
Allen Iverson has made history in the world of memorabilia. Iverson is recognized as a legend in the NBA. He retired from the league in 2013 and was later inaugurated into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His name remains influential today, extending his impact beyond the court. The Virginia native currently serves as Vice President of Reebok Basketball (as of 2023), working alongside the President of Reebok Basketball, Shaquille O’Neal, to shape the next generation of the game. “We gonna do big things. We gon’ work hard. We gon’ give people what they want. We gonna take care of our youngsters,” he said in an interview uploaded to YouTube. Iverson’s involvement with Reebok also includes a lifetime deal. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, he initially signed a 10-year deal valued at $50 million when he was drafted to the league, securing a spot with the Sixers. In 2001, he earned a lifetime deal after the team made its way to the finals and earned MVP. He now receives...
Self-taught baker Ashley Huston is opening her own shop in Philadelphia, PA. For Huston, it all started as a child. She was interested in tinkering with recipes that were as simple as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, she told CBS News. “I would try to change things up and recreate things,” she shared with the outlet. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Huston decided to open a micro bakery as a side hustle. According to her company website, she offers a variety of cakes, including flavors like red velvet, cookie butter, chai-spiced carrot cake, and unique options such as matcha cake paired with strawberry lavender jam, matcha custard, and condensed milk buttercream. She also sells cookies, cinnamon rolls, brownies, and savory pastries. Her creations have even won her Philadelphia Magazine’s 2024 Best of Philly baker — not to mention she caught the attention of the legendary Patti LaBelle. Huston had the honor of making the cake for LaBelle’s 80th birthday. “We decided on...
Derrick Rose is truly living up to his name. The former NBA point guard is hosting a pop-up flower shop in Chicago, IL, on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. Rose’s Flower Shop will be open for “one day only,” from noon until 4 p.m., according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “Welcome to Rose’s, the No. 1 flower shop in Chicago . How can I help you?” Rose teased in an Instagram reel announcing his venture. “A dozen roses? Coming right up. … We’re open for business. We can do that. We got you. It’s on the house. We appreciate your business.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Derrick Rose (@drose) Rose, a Chicago native, began his NBA career with the Bulls , where he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 Draft. He made history as the youngest MVP in NBA history, winning the award in 2011 at 22 and 6 months old, the Commercial Appeal reported. While Rose is giving the community their flowers in the city where it all started, the Bulls are honoring him in return. The Bulls shared...
Many who grew up in the 80s and 90s are quick to associate the nostalgia of heading back to school with the bright and cheery supplies designed by Lisa Frank. The notoriously private artist is best known for crafting lunchboxes, stickers, toys and trapper keepers covered in dolphins, unicorns, pandas and other adorable critters that decorated classrooms for decades. Before she rose to fame, Frank grew up in Michigan’s Bloomfield Hills (one of America’s wealthiest cities ), the daughter of a higher-up in the automotive industry who supported her creative pursuits. “ My dad was an art collector, my mom had a little kiln in our basement and we would make pottery. I think from about age five on, they sent me to art classes, and I was a huge colorer. HUGE. I think to keep me quiet, they would bring the coloring books and crayons, and I would fill up the books,” Frank told Urban Outfitters in a rare interview. She went on to attend Cranbrook Kingswood School with Mitt Romney, then headed...
Jerseys worn by LeBron James and his son Bronny performed exceptionally well at auction. On June 27, 2024, Bronny James made headlines when he joined the Los Angeles Lakers, selected as the 55th overall pick in the second round of the NBA Draft, notes USC Athletics. Shortly after, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $7.9 million guaranteed, per ESPN. This historic move placed Bronny on the same team as his legendary father, LeBron. “Bronny is, first and foremost, a person of high character,” Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka said, according to the NBA. “And second, he is a young man that works incredibly hard. Those are the qualities we look for in drafting players and adding to our developmental corps at the Lakers.” Speaking to his potential, Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick commented, per Sports Illustrated: “We view Bronny as case study No. 1. Because his base level of feel, athleticism, point-of-attack defender, shooting, passing — there’s a lot to like about his game. And...
Working side by side, Ameer Brown and his brother, Anthony, have made strategic strides as founders. Ameer and Anthony trace their roots to a Jewish hospital in Queens, NY, on Long Island. From a young age, rapper Nas, also from New York, was an influential figure in their lives. In their later years as founders, that admiration would come full circle. The pair, both HBCU graduates , lead Breakr—a company empowered by technology that fosters collaboration between artists, labels, brands, and creators to create successful social marketing campaigns, its website mentions. Breakr removes barriers to entry, welcoming users at any stage of their journey and supporting them with AI-powered deal presets, contract templates, and automated payment processes. “At the end of the year, our clients don’t have to do 1099s and tax compliance paperwork with thousands and thousands of influencers that they’ve contracted and worked with across the year…So they’ll make it easy for you to get the...