CLEVELAND, Ohio – Fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers now have the opportunity to own genuine game-used items, including LeBron James’ iconic pregame chalk and other unique artifacts. This opportunity arises from a new multiyear partnership between the Cleveland Cavaliers and The Realest, a memorabilia authentication company. The initiative aims to share authentic pieces of the game with fans, offering a direct connection to the team’s history and memorable moments.
Chris Kaiser, the executive vice president and chief marketing officer for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group, emphasized that this partnership focuses on creating memorable fan experiences rather than just generating corporate revenue. He said,
“The real reason wasn’t a corporate dollars play,”
and added,
“It was more about trying to give our fans an opportunity to find different ways to have these memorable experiences in our building and keep a little piece of that but also have a level of reliability in knowing that it’s legit.”
Ensuring Authenticity in a Market Plagued by Fakes
Authenticity remains a central concern within the sports memorabilia industry, where some estimates suggest that as much as 70% of items on the market are counterfeit. The Cavaliers and The Realest aim to combat this problem by providing verified game-worn artifacts. These items include rims, benches, chalk and resin from the scorer’s table, towels, jerseys worn during games, basketballs, and even potentially locker nameplates.
Chris Kaiser elaborated on the variety of items, noting,
“will depend on what will come about from game to game. It also depends on whether people hit milestones, certain things players want to keep.”
The NBA enforces regular replacement of nets and rims every seven games, producing an ongoing supply of authentic pieces.
Launching the Collection and Highlighted Games
The first set of authenticated Cavaliers memorabilia is scheduled to launch in March and will be sold through TheRealest.com and the Cavs team shop. Recent games have already contributed items to the collection, including the January 28 game against the Los Angeles Lakers, which might have marked LeBron James’ last appearance in Cleveland. Another significant contribution comes from the February 11 game against Washington, which featured the Cleveland debut of James Harden, a future Hall of Famer with a 17-year career; his game-worn jersey was authenticated.
Kaiser highlighted their strategic focus on meaningful items, stating,
“We’re just trying to be strategic around those items.”
A memorable moment from the January 28 game involved Sam Merrill keeping the game ball after a remarkable 32-point performance. According to Kaiser,
“Who could blame him? He had a career high with 32 points and was 9-of-10 from three-point range.”
Technology and Processes Behind Authenticating Memorabilia
One of the biggest challenges in collecting sports memorabilia is verifying the item’s legitimacy, even when purchasing from credible sources. The Realest addresses this by stationing personnel at games with uninterrupted sightlines, combined with covert markings on items using special inks. Company founder and CEO Scott Keeney emphasized their rigorous approach, saying,
“We don’t go back and look and guess about items.”
Founded in 2023, The Realest has modernized aspects of memorabilia authentication, introducing new standards of trust and verification.
Keeney noted the need to distinguish their operation from legacy systems, adding,
“Running on legacy and structure and hasn’t truly been modernized. The foundation of everything that we do is trust and authentication.”
Market Approach and Storytelling Through Memorabilia
Items authenticated and sold by The Realest usually go through auctions where prices are dictated by market demand rather than set values. Keeney said,
“There’s no way to really set a price. We let the market dictate.”
He described their work as selling memories, explaining,
“We almost sell memories. We’re storytellers, but our medium isn’t content; it’s physical. You look at an item that we have and it brings you back to a moment.”
The company draws inspiration from Major League Baseball’s successful authentication program. Besides the Cavaliers, The Realest currently partners with teams such as the Miami Heat, where they help release seats after renovations. The company also collaborates with the Philadelphia Eagles, FIFA World Cup, the Major League Baseball Players Association, and the PGA of America. Their expertise extends to film studios and music industry memorabilia as well.
The Importance of Timing and Capturing Unique Moments
Scott Keeney remarked that effective evidence collection relies heavily on timing and being present when historic moments occur. He noted,
“Some of the magic comes from happening to be there when magic happens,”
and added,
“Ephemera is being created from every game.”
Every game offers the potential for significant milestones, records, or memorable personal moments, such as a child’s first game or a season-defining performance.
Keeney gave an example outside of basketball involving the Philadelphia Eagles’ playoff victory over the Los Angeles Rams on January 19, 2025. The Realest packaged snow collected onsite with Rita’s Italian Ice, a moment that quickly went viral.
Innovative Practices and Future Prospects in Memorabilia Sales
The Realest incorporates upcycling efforts to give more fans access to pieces of sports history. Chris Kaiser stated,
“To make sure more people have an opportunity to get a little piece of history or a moment, which is our goal.”
He concluded by observing the expansive potential within this arena, saying,
“There’s just a lot of opportunity here in terms of untapped possibilities.”
