It doesn’t take more than a quick Google search to find out why Karl Malone is a controversial figure.
Malone was most recently in the news because the NBA and Utah Jazz went out of their way to honor him during the league’s All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City earlier this year. And that brought into question his past.
When Malone was a 20-year-old college student, he impregnated a 13-year-old girl who then gave birth to a son. While her family did not press charges against him, Malone also didn’t initially pay child support despite being an NBA player. Her family eventually sued for support and they settled with him out of court. As part of the settlement, Malone was not required to publicly acknowledge that he was the child’s father, though that fact was never in doubt. This was also not the only settlement he’s made with a woman over child support for children he fathered.
And Malone responded to critics at the time. And now he’s being criticized again.
Malone recently auctioned off 24 pieces of memorabilia from the 1992 Summer Olympics USA Basketball “Dream Team.” According to ESPN, he auctioned off game-used jerseys and sneakers from all 12 members and received nearly $5 million. Why Malone, who received well over $100 million over a storied career, needs that money is anyone’s guess.
BREAKING: the Michael Jordan 1992 Olympic "Dream Team" Game-Used, Photo-Matched, Signed, Inscribed Jersey has sold in our Dream Team Auction.
Final sale price: $3,030,000 🏀🐐 pic.twitter.com/dZY9U2gZDB
— Goldin (@GoldinCo) May 25, 2023
Malone sold pieces of memorabilia that once belonged to Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, David Robinson and Clyde Drexler, among others. While many of the pieces were autographed with the phrase, “To Karl,” none of these items were gifted to Malone. Rather, he revealed that his wife picked up the jerseys off the locker room floor after it was open to family.
One of the coolest collections EVER. This is the story of how Karl Malone got all these Dream Team Jerseys. 🏀🇺🇸
Our 1992 Dream Team Auction closes TONIGHT, with extended Bidding starting at 9pm ET!
Bid here: https://t.co/B7mj3BJIp2 pic.twitter.com/E1yILm2mOy
— Goldin (@GoldinCo) May 24, 2023
The ESPN article states that Malone had previously displayed his collection of “Dream Team” memorabilia for years at one of his car dealerships in Utah.
Final Sale Price for this Larry Bird Jersey: $360,000 💸
Final Sale Price for these Larry Bird Sneakers: $91,200 💸
All-time records for any Larry Bird Game-Used Jersey & Sneakers 🤯 pic.twitter.com/UyBsZ4pROZ
— Goldin (@GoldinCo) May 25, 2023
Those in the NBA world reacted to the insane news of Malone’s memorabilia dealings on social media:
OK, two questions:
1. What was Karl Malone doing with all of his teammates' used jerseys?
2. In all the years since, have they been, um, washed?https://t.co/sNBOYitPX4— Jonah Blank (@JonahBlank) May 29, 2023
After everything MJ did to Karl Malone, I think we can let this one slide…https://t.co/mr8JP9KPaS
— TPS (@TotalProSports) May 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/Slo_Motion/status/1663153714310307840?s=20
Someone's down bad https://t.co/XZTGbNgfDw
— Nate da Great (@NatdaddyB) May 26, 2023
Idc about the tweet below. Just want another chance to say Karl Malone is still an absolute scumbag. https://t.co/yoIg1YrHlD
— ChiCitySports.Com (@ChiCitySports23) May 26, 2023
This was on the Netflix show that recently came out and it was to Karl. He has every jersey and shorts displayed beautifully in his car dealership he owns. His wife would take the jerseys and shorts after the games and he had all the guys sign them
— 🐽 Hogfarmer Keith 🐽 (@Kgskins26) May 26, 2023
I think MJ singed this jersey prior the NBA Finals 1997, « To Karl, Good Luck » LoL 😆
— Amine (@the_6ix_th) May 25, 2023
