The saga of the "best jersey swap ever" has officially come to a close.
Frankie Desideri Sr., whose 5-year-old son received a game-used Victor Wembanyama jersey after a December 2024 game, had filed a lawsuit against Goldin Auctions to halt the sale of the jersey, which sold for more than $73,000 last month.
However, a letter to the judge in the case Friday notified the court the suit had been withdrawn, according to a post on the New York Supreme Court's website.
It took two months from the Dec. 27 viral jersey swap, which made the rounds on social media as a heartwarming gesture from the Spurs phenom, for the jersey to sell at auction, along the way attracting criticism from many who saw the transaction as a money grab.
In the request for a temporary restraining order against Goldin, Desideri claimed the family originally agreed to consign the jersey but subsequently requested the auction house withdraw the jersey, telling cllct his son had regrets and no longer wanted to auction it off.
He also said the contract would be nullified as he was not aware it is illegal for any payments made for a child’s property to be sold for more than $50,000 without a court-appointed guardian, as well saying Goldin used images of him and his son despite a request they not be included. Use of their likeness without consent caused “widespread exposure and emotional harm,” the plaintiffs claimed.
Goldin Auctions said it received the request to withdraw the jersey Feb. 21, one day before the close of the auction and one day after it was announced Wembanyama would miss the remainder of the season due to blood clots.
Desideri told cllct Wembanayama missing the rest of the season had “zero” effect on the request to withdraw the jersey.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.