Teen Finds Chamberlain's NBA Jacket for $3, Sells for $89,600 at Auction

July 20, 2026
Teen Finds Chamberlain's NBA Jacket for $3, Sells for $89,600 at Auction
  • A high-profile sports relic, Wilt Chamberlain’s yellow warmup jacket from the 1972 NBA finals, was discovered in a Portland-area Goodwill bin by teen reseller Quinn Brown for just $3.07 and later sold for $89,600 at Sotheby’s.

  • Sotheby’s conducted the auction with an armored pickup and used online photo comparisons to verify provenance and support a photomatch authentication.

  • Brown confirmed the jacket’s authenticity by comparing stitching and measurements to references of Chamberlain game-worn apparel.

  • The article notes that the piece was translated by AI and may contain errors.

  • Contextual background discusses photomatch authentication and how auction houses rely on it when MeiGray authentication isn’t available, noting bidder scrutiny and market dynamics.

  • Initial estimates had suggested a value up to $250,000 for the jacket.

  • The final sale price includes a buyer’s premium, and the identity of the winning bidder was not disclosed.

  • [Empty entry omitted]

  • The purchase price was $3.07 and the auction price reached $89,000, leaving a wide gap from Sotheby’s early expectations of $150,000 to $250,000.

  • The report, sourced from the Associated Press and picked up by WRAL News, places the find in Portland, Oregon, with AP dating.

  • Quinn Brown dedicates about 15–20 hours weekly to thrifting and reselling, with limited prior gains before this notable find.

  • Sotheby’s had privately pursued the jacket for roughly $300,000 before the sale, but questions about the photomatch affected bidding.

Summary based on 28 sources


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