"Jim Irsay, the Indianapolis Colts owner who died in May 2025, was a world-renowned collector, amassing a trove of memorabilia from across sports, music, movies and pop culture. He said he once turned down a $1.15 billion offer for the entire set. Starting in March, items from that extraordinary collection will be available for purchase via the auction house Christie's. The Irsay family announced in October that it would sell most of Jim's memorabilia, keeping some items and providing a portion of the proceeds to charity."
"The decision, the family said at the time, "was not made lightly, but with deep reflection and love for the legacy he built." ESPN had the opportunity to view a handful of pieces from the collection at the Christie's warehouse in Brooklyn, including Kurt Cobain's trademark 1969 Lake Placid blue Fender Mustang and Muhammad Ali's WBC Heavyweight Championship "Rumble in the Jungle" belt."
"Christie's pre-auction estimates just for the items viewed by ESPN approach $40 million. Other items going up for auction include Jack Kerouac's original scroll of "On The Road," which Irsay purchased in 2001 for $2.43 million. Irsay's collection will be available for bidding online from March 3-17, with in-person auctions on March 12, 13 and 14."
Jim Irsay, who died in May 2025, assembled a vast collection of sports, music, movie and pop-culture memorabilia and reportedly once turned down a $1.15 billion offer for it. The Irsay family decided to sell most items while retaining select pieces and donating a portion of proceeds to charity. Christie's will offer the collection for bidding online March 3-17, with in-person auctions March 12-14 and public displays in New York. Highlighted items include Kurt Cobain's Fender Mustang, Muhammad Ali's WBC belt and Jack Kerouac's original "On The Road" scroll.
Read at ESPN.com
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