It’s been nearly 28 years since they captivated a world that always wondered what it would be like if the NBA’s greatest players combined to form one team. The 1992 U.S. Olympic Basketball “Dream Team” lived up to its name, winning gold with ease.
Now, Goldin Auctions is offering a backboard, rim and net from an arena in Barcelona, Spain where Michael, Larry, Magic, Charles, Clyde and the rest of the dominating U.S. squad awed the sports world that summer. Used in the Olympic tournament including the gold medal game, the one-of-a-kind piece carries a minimum bid of $25,000.
Memorabilia from the Dream Team’s time together is fairly plentiful, but actual game-used items from the ’92 tournament are a different story.
After international rules were changed to allow professionals to compete in international competitions, the stage was set for the U.S. to send its greatest stars to the Olympics for the first time. The Dream Team took their role seriously, outscoring opponents by a total of 309 points in just eight games.
Used at the “Pabellon Olimpico de Badalona” (Badalona Olympic Pavilion) arena, the steel-framed glass backboard measures 72 x 42 inches while the Schelde International breakaway rim and original netting used during the Games is also included. The backboard has the white square painted above the rim area and a “FIBA” sticker is affixed just to the lower outside right of the backboard box. 
The item was originally acquired by an employee of the Olympic Organizing Committee of Barcelona 1992 (Comite Organizador Olimpico de Barcelona 1992) who purchased it directly from the committee following the conclusion of the games. A notarized letter of provenance from the employee will accompany the lot, along with a copy of the original purchase receipt.
The backboard has wear on the edges and marks on the glass from use. There is paint chipping on the orange rim and slight fading of the FIBA sticker on the backboard.
Goldin Auctions believes a net by itself from the ’92 Olympics would have a chance to reach six figures based on previously historic basketball net sales. As another point of reference, the game used ball from the 1992 Olympic Gold Medal Game sold for $230,031 in 2015.
The second edition of the Goldin Elite auction offers over 1,250 lots which a concentration on modern trading cards and items valued at $10,000 and up.
Bidding closes Saturday, Jan. 30.
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