Victor Wembanyama laments, NBA fans fume as his game-worn jersey goes up for auction: “What type of parent are you?”

San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama was left devastated after discovering that the jersey he swapped with a young fan is now up for auction.


Victor Wembanyama laments, NBA fans fume as his game-worn jersey goes up for auction: “What type of parent are you?”

Victor Wembanyama reacts to his jersey being up for auction

Victor Wembanyama, affectionately known as “Wemby” by San Antonio fans, has rapidly become a people’s champion, largely due to his cordial demeanor. The French basketball player is known for his heartwarming fan interactions.

Following the Spurs’ 96-87 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 27, Wemby spotted a young fan holding a sign that read, “Victor Wembanyama, will you swap jerseys with me?” True to his kind nature, the 7’4″ center called the fan to the courtside and swapped his jersey with the kid—a moment that quickly went viral.

YouTube video

However, less than three weeks later, the same San Antonio Spurs City Edition basketball jersey was listed for auction on Goldin Auction House with a starting price of $10,000. This development has angered the NBA community, with fans expressing their frustration and asking, “What type of parent are you?”. Moreover, Wemby himself stumbled upon this information and was devastated to say the least.

FS Video

Unfortunately, it is a sad yet common practice among sports enthusiasts to use the cuteness of their children as bait to coax athletes into signing autographs or handing over memorabilia. The procured item is then sold off to the highest bidder. Instead of cherishing and collecting these special souvenirs from their favorite superstars, they are put up for sale for profit.

A similar instance took place last month, which left Warriors’ Stephen Curry infuriated. A fan attempted to steal Curry’s sneakers that were intended for a little kid. Incensed by the incident, Curry screamed at the older gentleman to return the shoes to the young fan.

Frustrated fans call out parents for listing Victor Wembanyama’s jersey for sale

To real fans, having a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet their beloved athletes in person is worth far more than swapping their signatures for money. True sports enthusiasts despise this kind of money-hungry behavior, and they let it be known to the parents of the young San Antonio Spurs fan.

The sentiment was clearly mixed online among the consensus. However, one thing is certain, Victor Wembanyama was definitely shattered after learning about the dark reality of the business he is part of. Although athletes are known for their gratitude towards their fans, these events are certainly bound to alter their perspectives.