Whats the first thing that comes to mind when you hear of a player selling his rings or awards?

dtkk49a

It seems to be happening more often. A player selling his championship ring or other award items. Right or not, the first thing I think is that the player has fallen on hard times. Who would part with a World Series or Super Bowl Ring unless they had to? I find it hard to believe so many players need money after making millions during thier playing days.
Looking through the latest SMR, I see Ozzie Smith selling his stuff, same with Julius Earving. I find it sad. I think it also diminishes the award in a sense. Soldiers that earn the Medal of Honor in battle are not allowed to sell it - maybe the pro leagues should institute a similar rule, whereby the player must "sell" it back to the team or league. Thoughts?

itzagoner

it's called estate planning and is becoming more popular amongst those with wealth or potential for such and wish to protect it from heavy taxation.

some former players may be selling out because of financial difficulties, which is quite common.

others, however, could be receiving advice from professionals who get paid quite handsomely for helping them figure out how to best protect their assets.

llafoe

Two things come to my mind: drugs or divorce

californiacards3

Many of the players that are selling never made the mega $$$ that todays athletes do

For example Dr. J's salary was $1.45MM with the 76ers in 1985. As such many of these trinkets, accoutrerments and awards are being sold to finance college educations for grandchildren. While sad in some ways many of these guys have enjoyed their sports success and as stated previously in this day and age with interest rates so low, and Fed Policy encouraging all of us to take equity risk it makes a little sense to lighten their load and make real cash

Paper Reveals Salaries of NBA Players; Magic, Moses Tops, Then Bird
January 07, 1985|Associated Press

DETROIT — Six-figure salaries are the norm in the National Basketball Assn., but the paychecks of individuals do not necessarily reflect contributions this season, a Detroit newspaper reported Sunday.

Salaries for the current season range from the $60,000 paid Denver Nuggets guard Mike Evans to the $2.5 million paid Los Angeles Lakers guard Magic Johnson, the Detroit Free Press said.


Don Larsen's perfect game jersey sold fo $756,000 range. Lets put that into perspective.

So average Ivy league education room/board tuition $50,000*4 years = $200,000. Above sale could pay for 4 grandchildren. Sounds like a wonderful gift.

Barry

jrboles

It makes me think of that heartbreaking scene where Randy the Ram sets up shop at the VFW to hawk his VHS tapes and T shirts and 4 fanboys stop by over the course of an afternoon. If I had the time and ganas I would write a play about the One Year Winner who spends 88 out of 90 minutes of stage time wearing his one silver slugger award around his neck browbeating the audience into celebrating him. The final scene finds him drunk and on the corner in a sipowicz-esque rant. We won't see his demise at the hands of the bemused but barely tolerant inner-city youths, but it will be implied.