In the wake of the Celtics’ 18th NBA title and in anticipation of the conclusion of the Stanley Cup, Sotheby’s will launch two auctions catered to both sports, highlighted by a Wayne Gretzky game-used stick and multiple game-worn NBA Finals jerseys.
Sotheby’s will be offering a single-lot auction of a stick used by Gretzky in the clinching game of the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals — the “Great One’s” final championship and the second straight for the Edmonton Oilers.
Now led by Connor McDavid, the Oilers trail the Florida Panthers 3-1 in the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals with Game 5 on Tuesday night.
The stick is signed and inscribed, as well as dated in Gretzky’s handwriting. Sotheby’s expects the stick to sell for more than $300,000 in its no-reserve auction. The same stick was previously offered by Sotheby’s in July 2023 in a sealed auction. Though the final price has not been disclosed, the pre-auction estimate was $300,000 to $500,000.
Gretzky has long been the most collectible hockey player in the hobby, holding records for the most valuable game-worn jerseys ($1.452 million in 2022 for his final game with the Oilers) and cards ($3.75 million for one of just two PSA 10 examples of his 1979 O-Pee-Chee rookie card in 2021).
Sotheby’s has previously sold a Gretzky stick from his final NHL game for $140,000 in 2022.
For the hardcourt, the latest offering from Sotheby’s is part of its ongoing partnership with the NBA and will include around 200 game-worn jerseys from the 2024 playoffs and NBA Finals, led by five Finals jerseys from Jayson Tatum (Game 2, Estimate: $30,000 to $50,000), Luka Dončić (Game 1, Estimate: $25,000 to $35,000), Dončić (Game 2, Estimate: $20,000 to $30,000), Kyrie Irving (Game 1, Estimate: $10,000 to $15,000) and Jaylen Brown (Game 2, Estimate: $10,000 to $15,000).
The auction, which includes Dončić’s Finals debut as well as a gamer from Finals MVP Brown, will run from July 2-9.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.