A warmup jacket once worn by NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain, initially found at a Goodwill outlet for $3.07, has sold for $89,600 at Sotheby's. The 19-year-old who discovered the item, Quinn Brown, unearthed the jacket at a Goodwill in Portland, Oregon.
Brown, who has been reselling clothing for years, recognized the potential value of the vintage piece after noticing the Los Angeles Lakers logo and Chamberlain's name. He purchased the jacket for $3.07 and, upon further inspection at home, began to suspect its authenticity. A social media post led to contact with Sotheby's, which authenticated the jacket.
The jacket has been photomatched to Chamberlain wearing it during the Lakers' 1972 NBA Finals run and possibly during the 1971-72 season. Sotheby's described the item as exceptionally significant due to the strong photomatch, its connection to a Finals series, and the fact that it dates to Chamberlain's final active season.
Chamberlain played five seasons with the Lakers, contributing to the team's first championship since moving from Minneapolis. He retired after the 1972-73 season and passed away in 1999 at age 63. He remains the NBA record holder for most points in a single game with 100.
Brown expressed a desire for the jacket to go to a dedicated Lakers fan, despite its significant potential monetary value. The final sale price, including the buyer's premium, represents a substantial profit on his initial investment, although it fell short of a quarter-million dollars Brown had speculated it could fetch.