This lot closes on May 22nd, 2021 at 10:00 PM EDT for initial bids.

The 1992 USA Olympic Basketball team may be one of the most dominating teams ever assembled in the history of sports. After a disappointing Bronze Medal in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the US was determined to get back to the top of world basketball. For the 1992 Barcelona Games, it marked the first time that NBA players would be allowed to represent their respective countries. Seizing the opportunity, USA Basketball created what many consider, the greatest team ever assembled. On their way to winning the Gold Medal, the Dream Team went 8-0 and outscored their opponents by 309 points.

Many of those points, highlight-reel dunks and plays were carried out on this offered FIBA glass backboard and rim that was used during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. The basketball tournament was held from July 26th through August 8th of 1992 and featured 12 national teams, most notably the Dream Team with iconic players that included Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen and Clyde Drexler.

This gigantic backboard measures 72 x 42 inches and has a steel frame with a Plexi-glass backboard and was in the “Pabellon Olimpico de Badalona” (Badalona Olympic Pavilion) arena used in the 1992 Summer Olympics. Included with this piece is the Schelde International breakaway rim and original netting used during the Games. A netting alone from these games could potentially reach six figures based on previously historic basketball net sales. As another point of reference, the game used ball from the 1992 Olympic Gold Medal Game sold for $230,031 in 2015. Please note that the rim is detached from the backboard, but the components to re-attach it are with this item and will be included in the sale and shipping. The netting is still attached to the rim. The glass backboard has the white square painted above the rim area and a “FIBA” sticker is affixed just to the lower outside right of the backboard box.

This backboard, rim and netting were acquired by an employee of the Olympic Organizing Committee of Barcelona 1992 (Comite Organizador Olimpico de Barcelona 1992). As would be expected from multiple game use, this backboard displays noticeable wear on the edges and marks on the glass. There is paint chipping on the orange rim and slight fading of the FIBA sticker on the backboard. A notarized letter of provenance from the employee will accompany this historic item, along with a copy of the original purchase receipt. Please note that due to the large size and heavy weight of this item, special shipping arrangements will have to be made and shipping costs will be higher.

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