Magic Johnson's 'Dream' jersey goes up for sale this weekend
If the "Dream Team" from the 1992 Summer Olympics is part of your sports fantasy than this could be a slam dunk of a weekend for you.
Magic Johnson's game-worn jersey from the 1992 Games is up for bid through Saturday. SCP Auctions says Johnson's blue No. 15 jersey is expected to fetch at least $150,000 by the time bidding ends. As for authenticity, the jersey has been professionally photo-matched to confirm he wore it in the quarterfinals against Puerto Rico. The California auction house says it was more than likely worn several times during the Olympics.
John Arcand, host of the ‘Big Ten Treasure Hunter’ show on the Big Ten Network, predicts there will be significant interest in Johnson's jersey. Arcand thinks that Johnson, a former Michigan State star before becoming a Hall of Famer with the Lakers, has name appeal to see this become an intriguing item.
The former Los Angeles Lakers star is one of the best players in the history of the NBA and his success as a businessman as well as an investor have helped give him an even broader global appeal. Johnson was one of the members of the original ‘Dream Team,’ the first time that the United States ever sent professional players to compete in basketball at the Olympics. The squad is arguably the greatest collection of all-time, featuring Johnson alongside Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley and David Robinson among other stars from the NBA’s greatest generation.
The jersey is especially significant for collectors as it marks a comeback for Johnson. Having initially retired on the eve of the 1991-92 season following a revelation that he had contracted HIV, Johnson returned to the game on a competitive level to be a part of the Olympic team.
In addition, while there have been several Olympic teams filled with NBA all-stars in the ensuing years, the 1992 team was the original featuring 11 of 12 players who are now in the Basketball Hall of Fame. That squad holds a special place for fans and collectors. On e-bay for example, a search for sale/auction of 1992 "Dream Team" memorabilia offers more than 3,000 items. In 2015, a basketball signed by the team sold for $231,000.
This past April, Johnson stepped down as president of basketball operations of the Lakers. He has formed a strong identity away from his success on the basketball court, including owning at one point 125 Starbucks franchises. He's currently a Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner. This touch for business continues to make Johnson relevant though he has been retired from basketball for well over two decades.
The combination of Johnson's stellar basketball career, his success as an entrepreneur and his personal fight against HIV are points that Arcand thinks could help the value of this particular jersey.
Also in the auction is a Mickey Mantle signed contract and jerseys worn by Willie Mays and Ernie Banks. Both the Mays and Banks jerseys are each expected to bring in $100,000.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is an update of an original report first published on Sept. 19th