Catching a ball that had to be inflated at halftime of the 2015 AFC Championship Game? Not priceless, but pricey.
ESPN is reporting that a ball officially recognized as one of the "Deflategate" footballs used in the New England Patriots' 45-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in January will be auctioned at Lelands.com on July 18 with a starting asking price of $25,000.
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The report indicates that during a LeGarrett Blount touchdown run in the third quarter, he dropped the ball and wide receiver Brandon LaFell picked it up and made eye contact with Laura Nichols, a Patriots fan sitting with her husband Matt in the first row of the end zone at Gillette Stadium.
"LaFell picked up the ball, I pointed at him, he pointed at me and he handed me the ball," Nichols said. "It was all so surreal."
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According to ESPN, the couple originally figured the ball was a replacement after they found out about the Deflategate report, but the NFL confirmed that the balls simply were pumped back up to regulation PSI at halftime.
"Once we found that out, we knew we had a Deflategate ball," Matt Nichols said.
According to the Lelands.com site, "The historical importance of this piece cannot be understated. It is the most 'topical' piece of sports memorabilia that we can recall ever being sold so close to the event itself. Special 'pre-registration' will be required for anyone bidding on this piece."
As much as a conversation piece the ball might represent, the couple told ESPN "they would rather have the money than having it sit on some shelf in their house."
The sale of the ball could approach six figures, Lelands founder and chairman said.
"This is a 'wow' type of collectible," Joshua Evans said. "This is one of the best conversation pieces that has ever been sold.
"I could see this ball getting six figures," added Evans, whose company first sold the "Bill Buckner ball" from the 1986 World Series to Charlie Sheen for $93,000 in 1992. He said it's possible that the Nichols ball could be the only one of the 12 that made to the public domain.
Evans said the item is unusual in that putting up the ball for auction now would enhance bidding.
It's uncertain how much of an impact Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's appeal next week of his four-game suspension for his involvement in Deflategate would have, especially if his suspension is overturned.
How much do you think the Deflategate ball will sell for in auction? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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