Federal authorities are conducting a massive memorabilia theft investigation involving items stolen from the Miami Heat, sources have confirmed to cllct.
The FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office have questioned people who purchased items from someone with access to the Heat's uniform equipment room, according to those sources.
The investigation was first reported publicly by Amin Elhassan on "The Dan LeBatard Show" on Monday. Elhassan called the theft “one of the largest heists of this kind,” and said it involved jerseys worn during the NBA Finals.
Over the years, a large amount of items allegedly have been taken from the room and sold, sometimes publicly in online marketplaces such as eBay and WhatNot, as well as on other auction sites.
Sold game-used items run the gamut from superstars such as LeBron James, whose jerseys sold for seven figures, to role players such as Gabe Vincent, sources confirmed.
Many of the items were taken by an individual with access to the uniforms, who often was unaware of their full value, according to sources. The items were then passed on to an individual or individuals who photo-matched said items and then further profited by selling them as from a particular game or set of games.
Sources say the Heat, in most cases, were unaware the items had gone missing and were being sold. A Heat representative told cllct the team cannot comment on the active investigation.
Messages left for the FBI and the U.S Attorney's Office were not immediately returned.
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Many sports teams have been relatively nonchalant about past game-used jerseys, often storing them in small closets where many people have had access to them. Others teams have allowed jerseys to completely leave their facilities.
Game-used jerseys are property of the team, but are often removed from facilities without team consent or are given to a player without permission — either gifted or to be sold.
While the massive prices from game-used jerseys have driven teams to pay more attention to their inventory — the NBA has a deal with Sotheby’s that allows the league to auction off current jerseys — the question is what can be clawed back from their past, especially with many of the most valuable pieces of memorabilia changing hands several times.
Darren Rovell is the founder of cllct and one of the country's leading reporters on the collectibles market. He previously worked for ESPN, CNBC and The Action Network.