finance
LeBron James Grip Powder Sells for $2,150 at Cavaliers Auction
The Cleveland Cavaliers and The Realest auctioned authenticated memorabilia including a bottle of grip powder used by LeBron James. The item sold for $2,150 and ranked as the highest-selling non-jersey item among 44 collectibles.
May 23, 8:00 AM·1m read1 source
ForbesAudio version
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A bottle of grip powder used by LeBron James during the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 28 sold for $2,150 through an auction conducted by The Realest. The Realest, which partners with professional athletes, teams and leagues to authenticate sports collectibles, stated that the grip powder became the top non-jersey item among the 44 collectibles sold in its first official auction with the Cavaliers.
Scott Keeney, The Realest founder and CEO, said the grip powder's appeal stemmed from its connection to James' time with the Cavaliers. A prospective buyer later offered $3,000 for the item on the secondary market, but the original auction transaction remained final.
Other game-worn jerseys from the same period also sold at auction. James Harden's first home Cavaliers jersey against the Washington Wizards on Feb. 11 sold for $10,525. Donovan Mitchell's game-worn classic edition jersey against the Lakers on Jan. 28 sold for $7,500.
Additional items included Jarrett Allen's game-worn classic edition jersey for $3,000, Jaylon Tyson's game-worn classic edition jersey for $2,830, and Evan Mobley's game-worn statement edition jersey for $2,400.
Chris Kaiser, the Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group's executive vice president and chief marketing officer, said the partnership aims to let fans own pieces of team history while ensuring items are authenticated. The Realest applies patent-pending covert markings and tamper-resistant holograms to each collectible and records sales on a blockchain.
Kaiser stated that players can retain milestone items if they choose. Proceeds from a game-used ball and 12 warm-up shirts from the March 8 game against the Boston Celtics were donated to NFX, the nonprofit founded by Dan and Jennifer Gilbert. The Cavaliers and The Realest also sold lower-priced items such as an Allen pin for $57, a Mobley bobblehead for $50, and a Harden mockup beard for $30.
The teams plan additional auctions after the current playoffs and during the 2026-27 season.
