This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/12/2013.
Actual basketball that was in play during the historic 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. This ball was used in the opening game of 1972 Men’s Basketball Olympics played between Philippines vs. Poland and was obtained directly from the referee of the game who refereed a total of 7 games through the semi-finals. This special leather basketball was made in Japan and is labeled from the manufacturer “MG Mikasa 1972 Munich Olympic Ball,” and “Basketball No. 7.” Other labels and logos appearing on the ball include, “Approved By FIBA,” and refer to this basketball model being used in the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico Olympics. While these Olympics were overshadowed by the tragic deaths of eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team at the hands of terrorists; the Olympic basketball gold medal game played between the Soviet Union and the United States, both athletic and political rivals, is one of the most controversial in Olympic history. A chain of events left the final three seconds of this game mired in controversy during which the Soviets were allowed three inbound plays, the final resulting in a basket that gave them a 50-51 win for the Gold Medal. Prior to this, the American team was 63-0 in Olympic play dating to the 1936 inception of Olympic basketball. In protest of the apparent unfair rulings and ineptitude that resulted in the American loss, to this day, the 1972 Men’s Olympic basketball team have not accepted their silver medals. It is doubtful whether many other basketballs survive from this Olympics making this one of the most historic basketballs in Olympic basketball history.