Recession Fouls Basketball Superstar – A Player’s Loss is Collectors Gain
There are times when a team transcends the game and steps over the boundaries of the sports pages and into the consciousness of a nation.
It could be argued that the Chicago Bulls during the mid 1990′s was such a team – so well known that even people who never opened an issue of Sports Illustrated could name the starting lineup.
The “repeat the three-peat” wins of the NBA finals of ’96, ’97, and ’98 created a cadre of basketball superstars and characters and set the bar at a new high for the next generation of players. Now a little piece of that victory is up on the auction block. In a testament to the far reach of the recession, former Bulls guard and assistant coach to the Sacramento Kings, Randy Brown, has declared bankruptcy, and his three championship rings will be for sale to the highest bidder via online auction at WestAuction.com.
The Chicago Bulls of the mid ’90s has been considered one of the best teams ever to set foot on a court, and Brown’s role – both as guard and as a team player – was integral. Brown, who made a name for himself in Sacramento as a solid and hard-working assistant coach to the Kings, was well liked by players and fans alike. His focus and ability to help players get the most out of their training was a mainstay during the team’s recent trouble and instability.
Yet these hard financial times have impacted everyone, and Brown is no exception. “It’s a tough situation,” says Dennis West, of West Auctions, the company charged with auctioning the rings. “Randy seems like a really good guy, and he was a great player. However, these are tough times for a lot of people from a variety of backgrounds. People are making difficult financial decisions, and for some that means bankruptcy.” With bankruptcy rates rising rapidly across the nation, you can expect many more auctions in the future.
Brown’s three championship rings are expected to hit the auction block at WestAuction.com on May 19. The bid will start at $19,000 – a bargain in the world of sports collectables.
For more information visit http://www.westauction.com/.
President Elect Barack Obama Bowling Lane Goes Up for Auction
Altoona based bowling center offers chance to own a piece of history to help the Special Olympics
“My economic plan is better than my bowling,” President Elect Barack Obama told fellow bowlers on a Saturday evening at the Pleasant Valley Recreation Center. This statement came after Obama bowled a gutter ball that would make him one of the most infamous bowlers in recent political history.
On March 29, 2008, Obama spent 2 hours at the bowling center talking with the public as part of a face-to-face “Road to Change” bus tour through Pennsylvania, and bowling — 7 frames.
Obama bowling on lane #21 of the Pleasant Valley Recreation Center quickly became the most televised portion of his campaign — his bowling “highlights” appeared on Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, The Today Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Comedy Central and many others.
Now, co-owners Jean Montgomery and Bob DiVentura are putting Lane 21 up for sale through an online auction on Ebay, beginning November 13 and ending November 23 at 9:00 PM EST. “We are offering this piece of history to the lucky bidder,” said Montgomery. “It is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to own one of the most talked-about bowling lanes in political history.”
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Special Olympics. “We are proud to have donated the use of our bowling center to the Special Olympics for many years,” said Montgomery. “This will allow us to contribute additional funds to the organization.”
Not only are they offering lane #21, but also the neighboring lane (#22), the gutters, 2 pin setters, computer scoring system, and the bowling circle complete with the chairs sat on by Obama. “We’ll even throw in the shoes and bowling ball that Obama used,” said DiVentura.
The fully functional lane will be disassembled, shipped, and reassembled at the location of the buyer’s choice. “It is a true collector’s item that the buyer can be sure no one else can claim a duplicate,” said DiVentura.
For more information, please visit http://www.obamabowling.com/
* Pleasant Valley Recreation Center (Altoona, PA) was established in 1948. Family owned and operated, the business has hosted several national and state tournaments over its 60 year history.
Source: Pleasant Valley Recreation Center
NBA’s Kevin Love Helps Launch Rookie Relief for St. Jude Online Jersey Auction
Love and top 2008 NBA rookies donate autographed jerseys for eBay auction to help St. Jude find cures and save children
Minnesota Timberwolves’ rookie Kevin Love is helping kick off the inaugural Rookie Relief for St. Jude (www.stjude.org/rookierelief), a fundraising campaign to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital(R), one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer centers. As ambassador of the campaign, Love joins the NBA’s top rookies and select league veterans in donating autographed game jerseys for an eBay(R) auction to be held November 11 – 20. Other participating NBA rookies include Derrick Rose, O.J. Mayo, Michael Beasley, Brook Lopez and Greg Oden.
In addition, league veterans and past #1 draft picks have donated autographed jerseys in support of their rookie team members. Veteran jerseys available for bid include Yao Ming, LeBron James, Andrew Bogut and Dirk Nowitzki. Fans can check out the complete listings of jerseys by visiting www.stjude.org/rookierelief.
While Love battles some of today’s toughest NBA players on the court, he recognizes there are children at St. Jude who are in the battle of their lives. “Becoming ambassador of Rookie Relief for St. Jude was an easy decision. As rookies we are blessed to make it to the NBA and play a game we love as a job. It’s our duty to give back,” Love said. “I hope NBA fans will join us in support of Rookie Relief for St. Jude and help kids fighting cancer.” Love has committed to matching funds raised through the auction up to $12,500.
The Rookie Relief for St. Jude auction is a fundraising promotion created out of the partnership between the NBA Summer League and St. Jude. The auction will be the cornerstone of annual fundraising program featuring top NBA rookies. The official announcement of the partnership was made during the NBA Summer League’s Tip-Off Reception on July 10 at the Platinum Hotel & Spa in Las Vegas.
Source: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital