Tom Brady was officially retired from the NFL for about six whole weeks. Enough time for Lelands Auction to create momentum for the Auction of his final career touchdown pass. The build up for fans and the finality of the moment was captured in a football that might have otherwise have been just another game ball in the Tampa Bay equipment locker had it not been tossed into the stands by receiver Mike Evans. The football sold as Tom Brady’s final touchdown pass for $518,000.00… and the next day March 13, 2022 Tom Brady announced his return to Football.
According to Yahoo Sports, Lelands has no comment if the high bidding fan is stuck with the ball. The sale which beat the sale of his first touchdown pass by nearly $100,000.00 has been removed from the website. Tom Brady’s first touchdown pass was sold in the 2021 Mid-Spring Classic June 2021 for a whopping $428,841.60 after including the buyer’s premium. That sale is still advertised.
What is a fan to do with the limbo time of a half million dollar football sold entirely on provenance? A trophy collectible was stripped of its title after 24 hours with it. How does a collector plan for or predict a moment like this?
What was a historic event is now likely to be just another touchdown pass. The game was January 23, 2022, when Brady threw a 55-yard pass caught by wide receiver Mike Evans. With 3:20 left to play in the fourth quarter Evans threw the completed pass into the stands. What can be reasoned is the above and beyond level of scrutiny and documentation that has occurred for a football that has become just 1 of 86 other playoff touchdown passes.
Collectors Dashboard evaluates high-end collectibles as an alternative asset class. The same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds is being used to buy high-end collectibles. With an opening bid of $100,000 it is undeniable that this was a high-end football and that this same capital could have also gone into stocks, bonds or real estate.
Lelands had consigned this football directly from the fan, who wished to remain anonymous at the time. Maybe the fan will want to comment? Lelands also noted that the ball has been conclusively photo-matched and given a MeiGray letter of authenticity. This was Lelands description of the auction and its original photo analysis:
“The Wilson Official NFL football features a large NFL logo on side panel, below which, on a separate panel is a silver oval bearing the Buccaneers’ team logo and the number “435.” Additionally, that same panel displays numerous small white “specks” that are a byproduct of its game use.”
Tom Brady’s 86th career playoff touchdown football should have stood head and shoulders above the next greatest feat in NFL history. The next contender in second place is Joe Montana — with his total of 45 TDs. Collectors and fans alike now know that number is likely to reach 100 and above. Tom Brady will likely want his 100th playoff touchdown pass, but his last is still a far away concept. As the 15 minutes of fame continues for the football that was and now isn’t, perhaps value to a collector will find it again? That is as unknown and unpredictable as Tom Brady’s upcoming NFL football season.
