October Legends
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2013
Historic NBA Uniform Player Contract containing the signatures of three members of the Basketball Hall of Fame. After establishing himself as the undisputed star of the 76ers, Wilt Chamberlain began thinking about his post-NBA future. The star center had reputedly worked a unique deal with the team’s owner (and Wilt's attorney) Ike Richman for a 25% piece of the franchise after he retired. Unfortunately, Richman died in 1966 and the sole surviving owner, Irv Kosloff, disputed his claims. Chamberlain threatened to jump to the ABA instead of signing this 1967 contract but was eventually persuaded when his one-season salary was raised to $150,000. The 1967-68 season was Wilt’s last in Philly but he made it count: he became the only center in NBA history to lead in assists, scored his 25,000th point and won his 4th and final MVP award. As an official and well-referenced document, this Commissioner’s copy of the 4-page contract shows some wear. The front is
named to “Wilton N. Chamberlain”, dated October 10, 1967 and calls for a $150,000 salary. The back page contains the signatures of Chamberlain, 76ers GM Jack Ramsey, owner Irv Kosloff and NBA Commissioner Walt Kennedy. Chamberlain, Ramsey and Kosloff have signed in black felt tip pen and Kennedy has signed in blue ballpoint. The lot also includes two type-written letters on yellow onion skin from the office of Nathanial Budin addressed to Walt Kennedy and Jack Ramsay regarding Chamberlain's contract. Receipts for certified mail have also been retained and stapled to each corresponding page before they were deposited in the leagues’ files. This is an important document dating from the height of Wilt Chamberlain’s Hall of Fame career and his last MVP season. It is extremely rare a signed contract for Wilt Chamberlain has become available, and our research indicates only one other which has come up for auction. Full LOA from PSA/DNA, cert number Q07275.