A collection of memorabilia from the 1992 gold-winning U.S. Olympic Basketball ‘Dream Team’ is heading for sale at Heritage Auctions.
"It’s arguably the most significant offering of ‘Dream Team’ game used gear ever to surface in the collectible marketplace," said Chris Ivy, director of Sports Auctions at Heritage. "Due to the brief existence of the team, and the enormous fame and wealth of its members, very little ‘Dream Team’ material has become available."
The memorabilia comes from the personal collection of team physician David A. Fischer, who spent decades at the highest levels of American sport, working in Minnesota for both the Vikings of the NFL and Timberwolves of the NBA.
When professional athletes were allowed to represent their countries at the Olympics for the first time in 1992, the U.S looked to the superstars of the NBA to create "the greatest single grouping of basketball talent ever assembled".
The team stormed to victory, winning every game is a display of basketball supremacy that ended with a 117-85 victory over Croatia in the gold medal game.
The collection includes signed, game-worn sneakers from many of the team’s superstars, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, David Robinson and Scottie Pippen amongst others.
It also features Fischer’s own gold medal championship ring, estimated at $50,000+, his U.S.A team jacket and equipment bags used during the tournament in Barcelona, a presentation basketball signed by the entire team valued at $20,000+, and a selection of highly rare team-signed posters.
"I’ve enjoyed these items and will always have the memories and friendships," said Dr. Fischer. "However, I think it’s time to allow other basketball fans and collectors a chance to enjoy these as well. My family and I are hopeful the new owners will share our passion and continue to care for them with a similar love and respect."
"This is a rare opportunity to acquire such significant material from the Dream Team," said Ivy. "Like the team itself, there will never be another auction like this again."
The Sports Collectibles Catalog Auction takes place in Dallas on May 12.
