For the first time in its history, SLAM will auction off a 1-of-1 edition of its magazine. This collector’s item will feature NBA All-Star LaMelo Ball on the cover.
The magazine, SLAM 237, features Ball in a futuristic recreation of the NBA logo with all the cover text given a unique metallic foil embossed treatment. The issue was autographed by Ball, authenticated by Beckett Grading Services (BGS) and will be available exclusively on eBay via an auction that launches Thursday, March 31 at 2 p.m. ET and runs through Sunday, April 10 at 2 p.m. ET.
“At eBay, we are constantly investing in ways to bring unmatched inventory to our marketplace,” said Bob Means, Director of Trading Cards at eBay. “This 1-of-1 auction of a LaMelo Ball signed and authenticated SLAM magazine is yet another example of our focus on stocking eBay with the latest releases as well as the rare and hard to find.”
The magazine includes an in-depth interview with Ball, the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year, as well as an exclusive photo shoot from acclaimed photographer Diwang Valdez. A standard, non-metallic version of the issue is releasing globally on newsstands and in bookstores now, and is available at slamgoods.com alongside limited Black Metal (60 copies) and Gold Metal (94 copies) editions.
The publication has a long history with Ball, going all the way back to SLAM 200 (2016) when he and his two brothers, Lonzo and LiAngelo, then all playing for Chino Hills (CA) High School, and their father, LaVar, were featured. The Ball brothers went on to grace the cover of SLAM 211 (2017) and LaMelo’s first solo cover was SLAM 222 (2019).
“It’s history, it’s a blessing,” said LaMelo Ball of the first-of-its-kind SLAM collaboration. “To whoever wins it, congratulations!”
“SLAM has produced exclusive, limited metal editions for a few years now, and with LaMelo being a player we’ve covered since his freshman year of high school and someone we know has an extremely bright future, the opportunity to do something special for collectors and partner with LaMelo on it made complete sense,” said Adam Figman, Chief Content Officer of SLAM. “The bold cover nods to LaMelo’s status as the future face of the NBA, and our magazine’s cover is the perfect place to make this kind of declarative statement.”
In addition to the 1-of-1 magazine, a t-shirt featuring the SLAM 237 cover is available now. Shop here.
