BOSTON, Massachusetts (AFP) — Fans can have the shirt off the backs of their favorite players in the National Basketball Association Finals, thanks to an unprecedented internet auction that starts during games.
NBA officials announced Wednesday that actual jerseys worn by each active player in NBA Finals games between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics will be auctioned during games one and three of the best-of-seven title series.
Game one will be Thursday in Boston with game three on Tuesday in Los Angeles, so a home and away jersey from each active player will be available.
Bidding at NBA.com will begin at the opening tip off of each game. The auction for game one will run from June 5 to June 24 and the game three bidding will last from June 10 to June 26.
"This is unique way to bring our fans closer to the finals," said Lisa Goldberg, NBA senior director of trading cards and memorabilia.
"Giving fans the chance to bid on jerseys while the games are in progress is a whole new way to get exclusive memorabilia from the NBA's premier event of the season."
Jersey manufacturer MeiGray will oversee the auction and authenticate each jersey with a unique security system, including a special code, tag and number placed on the jersey before they are worn onto the court.
Each jersey will be stored after the games are concluded until delivery to the winning bidder once the time period has expired.
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