Attention to all bidders. This lot is not being offered for direct sale. What is being offered is a 20% ownership share of the jersey. The 20% ownership share requires a minimum bid of $75,000. Our experts believe that this incredibly important iconic jersey should be worth what other iconic jerseys of this importance are selling for. The jersey currently resides within the holdings of Collectable. Note: This jersey is the first item ever offered fractionally via a live/internet auction with the anticipation of offering additional shares on the Collectable platform. Please see the Collectable website for exciting audio and video coverage of the impossible dream! Re-live the thrilling moment of a lifetime and learn further details about this unique offering, fractional investing, Collectable’s terms and conditions: https://collectable.com/collectableu/1980-mike-eruziones-team-usa-hockey-gold-medal-winning-game-worn-jersey/
“Do you believe in miracles?” When Al Michaels made that historic call following the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team’s upset win over the mighty Soviet Union team, there was no one in America who didn’t. But, as many people sometimes forget, it did not deliver gold. One more team stood in the way of Olympic glory: Finland.
Prior to the game against Finland, coach Herb Brooks told each of his young players, collectively, “You were born to be a player. You were meant to be here.” It was a more heartfelt sentiment than he normally offered, but after the second intermission, with the team trailing 2-1 he returned to form, telling them all, “If you lose this game, you’ll take it to your graves. To your F%#$&ing graves!” The US team came out for the third period determined not to let themselves, their families, their country, or their coach down. They quickly scored two goals to take the lead, and eventually won the game 4-2, earning them the gold medal.
Offered here is a 20% ownership share in the United States Olympic hockey jersey worn by team captain Mike Eruzione during the gold medal game against Finland on February 24th at Lake Placid. This jersey originates directly from Eruzione and is accompanied by a signed LOA on the stationery of the auction house that first sold it in 2013. Eruzione has further attested to its game-used status by inscribing the jersey in black Sharpie (10/10), “Mike Eruzione – 1980 Captain – My Gold Medal Jersey” on the reverse numeral “2.”
The blue-mesh jersey is lettered “USA” on the front and features the number “21” on the reverse and each sleeve. All letters and numerals are applied in red on white tackle twill. “Eruzione” is lettered in white tackle twill upon a blue name plate on the reverse. A large “C” (denoting captain), in white on blue tackle twill, has been applied to the left breast. A white tackle-twill star adorns each shoulder. A “Norcon XL” label appears in the collar. The jersey is all original and displays moderate wear.
The offered garment is more than just a hockey jersey, it is an important part of cultural history that would be at home equally in either the Hockey Hall of Fame or the Smithsonian Institute.