SCP Auctions April 2011 Internet Auction
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 08:00PM EDT - Sun, May 1, 2011 12:25PM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 99
RED AUERBACH'S 1981 SIGNED BOSTON CELTICS CONTRACT FOR SERVICES AS TEAM PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER
Sold for
$1,934.40
Sold Price includes BP
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As Celtics GM Auerbach raised eyebrows around the league in 1978 when he drafted Larry Bird as a "junior eligible" and then had to wait a year while Bird finished playing at Indiana State University. If Auerbach and Bird's representatives had not been able to come to an agreement Bird would have been free to reenter the next year's draft but Auerbach was confident he could sign Bird and he did. The next year Larry Bird and the Celtics had a 31-game turnaround the largest at the time in NBA History making the signing of Bird one of Auerbach's most notable moves at General Manager. After the 1979-80 season Auerbach also completed what may be the most lopsided trade in NBA history. Auerbach had always been a fan of stockpiling draft picks so even after the success of 1979-80 the Celtics had both the 1st and 13th picks in the 1980 NBA Draft leftover from the trade of M.L. Carr. Auerbach saw an opportunity to improve the team immediately sending the two picks to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for center Robert Parish and the Warriors first round pick the 3rd overall University of Minnesota power forward Kevin McHale. With these three future Hall of Famers on the team the Celtics had a core in place to become a dominant team in the NBA. Auerbach won the NBA Executive of the Year Award with the Celtics in the 1979-80 season.
The Celtics were understandably eager to retain the brilliant services of Red Auerbach. This eight-page "Employment and Consulting Contract" was executed on March 13th 1981 between Red Auerbach and the Boston Celtics and was signed by Auerbach Celtics Assistant GM Jan Volk and two witnesses. A detailed outline of Red's duties is set forth as well as a comprehensive compensation package. All signatures penned on the last page in blue and black fountain pen respectively grade 9/10. Four months after the consummation of this agreement the Boston Celtics concluded the 1981 regular season with a 62-20 record under coach Bill Fitch and captured the 1981 NBA Championship over the Houston Rockets. Astonishingly this championship was achieved just two years after Bird had been drafted. Three Eastern Conference titles and two more NBA championships would follow within the next five years. A legal sized Boston Celtics envelope is included with a notation "A. Auerbach contracts" written on the front. Includes a letter of provenance from the Auerbach estate. Includes an additional full LOA from PSA/DNA.
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