Hope Solo Auctioning USWNT Memorabilia to Fund New Ventures

Former U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Hope Solo is liquidating a significant portion of her personal memorabilia collection to finance her latest business and philanthropic endeavors. The World Cup champion has consigned 45 items to Lelands Auctions, marking a shift from preserving her athletic history to investing in future initiatives.

The collection features artifacts spanning nearly two decades of Solo’s career. Highlighted items include the autographed jersey and shorts worn during the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final, which carry a starting bid of $3,000, and the championship ring from that same tournament with a starting bid of $15,000. The auction, scheduled to run from July 26 to Aug. 15, also includes Golden Glove awards from the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship and 2016 Olympic Qualifying, as well as various signed team artifacts.

Solo indicated that the decision to sell was driven by a desire to prioritize the present over the past. Proceeds from the sale are intended to support Solo FC, the team she founded for The Soccer Tournament (TST), a seven-on-seven competition offering a $1 million prize purse. Additionally, a portion of the funds will be directed to She Belongs, a nonprofit focused on leadership and community building for young women, particularly refugees and underserved populations.

The memorabilia market has seen increased activity in conjunction with the popularity of major tournaments, a factor noted by Lelands’ director of acquisitions, Jordan Gilroy. The move allows athletes to monetize stored assets to fund current projects. While this specific auction is managed by Lelands, the broader market for sports collectibles and memorabilia remains a key category for general marketplace platforms like eBay Inc..

What to watch

• The final bidding results for the 2015 World Cup final jersey and ring when the auction closes on Aug. 15.
• The performance of Solo FC in The Soccer Tournament (TST) later this year.

Source: original release