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Modern sports collecting is no longer confined to isolated corners of baseball-only or basketball-only enthusiasts; today’s collectors are aggressively hunting for iconic pieces across multiple sports simultaneously.
Nowhere is this multi-sport crossover more evident than in Julien’s Auctions‘ newly unveiled sale, “Sports Legends: The Pitch To The Court.” Scheduled to go live from Los Angeles on July 9, 2026, this auction features nearly 350 pieces of iconic sports history. The expansive catalog spans generations, boasting highly coveted artifacts from legendary icons like Muhammad Ali, Joe DiMaggio, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and LeBron James.
Ahead of the highly anticipated sale, Mantel spoke exclusively with the team behind the event to break down the biggest grails, the massive shift in the soccer market, and how the game-used industry has evolved.
Tracking the Market: One of the Biggest Sales Since Pelé 2016
When asked how this catalog stacks up against previous historic sports auctions, representatives from Julien’s noted that this stands as one of their biggest sports auctions since the legendary 2016 Pelé estate auction, which brought in a staggering $4-$5 million. Rather than an all-out estate liquidation, this sale serves as a highly curated cultural snapshot.
The timing of the July 9 sale is entirely deliberate, positioning itself right at the conclusion of the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup just as the sports world shifts its attention to the World Cup. The expansive collection leans heavily into soccer, featuring over 300 individual items from the sport’s greatest icons.
“The sports collectibles market is one of the hottest culture niches in the world,” a representative from Julien’s shared. “The connection to game-played, worn, and used items always brings unparalleled interest to the collectors’ market.”
To capture that intersection of sports and pop culture, Julien’s has partnered with the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) in Seattle to host an exclusive preview installation running from June 12 through July 5.
“MOPOP was created by Paul Allen, one of sports and pop culture’s greatest collectors,” Julien’s noted. “With Seattle acting as a host city for the World Cup and MOPOP hosting watch parties, it seemed like a great moment to activate with preservationists of culture.”
The Headliners: 5 Grails to Watch
With nearly 350 items hitting the block, the bidding is expected to be fierce across multiple sports categories. Here are the crown jewels driving the most pre-auction buzz:
1. Pelé’s 1962 Brazil FIFA World Cup Gold Winner’s Medal
Estimate: $200,000 – $400,000
The Story: A holy grail piece of global soccer history. This gold medal was presented to Pelé during Brazil’s legendary 1962 World Cup Championship run. These specific items have been held privately since Julien’s historic 2016 estate sale, making their return to the open market a major event for alternative asset investors.
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2. LeBron James Game-Worn & Signed Rookie Year Jersey
Estimate: $300,000 – $500,000
The Story: The undisputed basketball centerpiece of the auction. This signed Cleveland Cavaliers jersey dates directly back to King James’ legendary rookie season, marking the literal genesis of one of the most dominant careers in NBA history.
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3. Diego Maradona Match-Worn 1978 Rookie Year Jersey
Estimate: $10,000 – $20,000
The Story: Hailing from Maradona’s rookie year with Argentinos Juniors, this match-worn jersey is a rare artifact from the very beginning of the icon’s storied career.
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4. Kobe Bryant 1998 Game-Worn & Signed Adidas Shoes
Estimate: $10,000 – $20,000
The Story: Worn during the formative years of his Lakers career, these signed Adidas sneakers represent the early framework of the Black Mamba’s global legacy.
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5. Roger Maris Photo-Matched 1962 Home Run Season Bat
Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000
The Story: For the vintage baseball purists, this bat comes photo-matched to Maris’ historic 1962 season following his record-breaking 61-home-run campaign.
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Other Items Available in the Auction
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How to Follow and Bid
For collectors looking to get an up-close look at the collection before the hammer drops, media and buyers can access an exclusive LA pop-up experience on June 30, where the items will be on display.
The live auction officially takes place on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM PT at Julien’s Auctions in Gardena, CA, with online bidding available globally via juliensauctions.com. Reflecting the modern landscape of high-end asset trading, Julien’s will also be accepting a wide array of cryptocurrencies for the sale, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin.
See the full list of items available for auction here.
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