Celtics legend Bill Russell left the NBA with more championship rings than fingers — 11 altogether — and an impact on sports and culture that few athletes have achieved. But he also left the game with enough gear and goods to fill a museum.
Fans will get a chance to own at least part of that history when hundreds of items from Russell’s personal memorabilia collection, from jerseys to medals to letters from Jackie Robinson, are sold at auction on Friday.
“I’ve decided to sell most of my collection,” Russell said in a video statement. “There are a few pieces I’ll keep for myself, but the rest I will share with the world.”
Some of the highlights include two of Russell’s championship rings; a rookie card with an estimated price range of $75,000-$150,000; and the jersey Russell wore in Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals, his last NBA contest as a player, which as of Thursday evening has brought in more than $400,000 in pre-bids.
The live auction will be held at TD Garden. It is being presented by Hunt Auctions, which has handled items from other sports legends like Roberto Clemente, Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio. A portion of the auction proceeds will go to Russell’s nonprofit MENTOR, an organization focused on giving mentorship opportunities to young people, and an additional donation will be made to Boston Celtics United for Social Justice.
Dave Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, told GBH News that Russell is one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of pro sports.
“Maybe more importantly, for what Bill did off the field for the civil rights movement and as a humanitarian in general, it’s very, very honoring for us to be involved with such a legendary player,” he said. “And it’s something we take very seriously as a responsibility. And we’re completely thrilled and humbled that Bill has chosen us to represent his collection and we’re very excited to see how the results turn out.”
Hunt said that with a collection of this significance, especially one with such a large number of items available, it’s difficult to predict the end total. But he’s expecting a large final figure.
“Clearly, this is a multiple, multiple seven-figure auction,” he said. “So we’ll see how many multiples when the paddles go up in the air.”
The auction has drawn interest from some of the biggest names in basketball. Hall of Famers Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley, who are part of TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” said they are both interested in placing bids.
Hunt said what’s most telling about their responses, and others like them, is the high regard Russell is held in by those who came after him.
“It’s such a statement to show that players like that take the time to really point out the way that Bill lived and the way that Bill played and how much they respect him,” he said.
Russell joined the Celtics in 1956 and played until 1969. He became the Celtics head coach while he was still a player in 1966. After retiring from playing, he continued to coach on and off in the NBA until 1988.
His impact on basketball and sports at large is hard to fathom. He is an outspoken activist, the first Black head coach in the NBA and is one of the games greatest champions. The NBA Finals MVP trophy is named in his honor.
Hunt admits it took years of preparation to put together an event that captured that legacy.
“And when we see a project come to its conclusion like this, it’s sort of bittersweet, it really is because it’s such an exciting event to be a part of,” he said. “It is an enormous, enormous, overwhelming amount of work, but it’s one that we welcome. And we really, truly are humbled each time we conduct an event like this. … We’re just very thankful to be involved. And it’s equally exciting and rewarding as it is emotionally draining to come to sort of the conclusion of an auction like this.”
