Nu OriginsKareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers legend, announced Wednesday that he will be auctioning off his sports memorabilia that spanned more than 20 years to benefit STEM Education.
The proceeds of the sale will go to Abdul-Jabbar’s Skyhook Foundation. It is an enterprise that brings opportunities to those in marginalized communities who want to pursue fields in science, technology, engineering
“My sports memorabilia also have a history. My history. My life. And, oddly, since my life is still happening and ever-evolving, I am less personally attached to those items
“Much of the proceeds from my auction will go to support my charity, the Skyhook Foundation, whose mission is to “give kids a shot that can’t be blocked.” We do this by sending children from economically challenged schools to five days in the Angeles National Forest to experience the wonders of nature and learn the basics about science, technology, and engineering.”
Goldin Auctions is assisting the former NBA pro sell many of the items. Many of them have minimum bids in the thousands. Abdul-Jabbar’s 1985 Los Angeles Lakers NBA Championship Ring starts at $65,000 and current bidding is already at $100,000. Although these mementos mean very much to the famed superstar, he felt it more important to leverage them for a greater good.
“So, when it comes to choosing between storing a championship ring or trophy in a room, or providing kids with an opportunity to change their lives, the choice is pretty simple. Sell it all,” the 71-year-old wrote.
“Looking back on what I have done with my life, instead of gazing at the sparkle of jewels or gold plating celebrating something I did a long time ago, I’d rather look into the delighted face of a child holding their first caterpillar and think about what I might be doing for their future. That’s a history that has no price.”
