Professional wrestler and social media personality Logan Paul secured a temporary restraining order against Heritage Auctions after questioning the authenticity of an 8-by-8-foot section of United Center court he won for $562,555.42, according to filings in a Texas district court.
The TRO, granted Thursday morning, pauses payment that Heritage had required by Sept. 25. Paul’s attorneys at Akerman LLP filed for both the restraining order and a temporary injunction; the injunction hearing is set for Oct. 9.
Paul contends Heritage denied him a chance to conduct an independent examination before demanding full payment, threatening to forfeit the lot if the deadline passed. “Collectors like Logan deserve, and are entitled to, proof of authenticity that holds up under scrutiny,” attorney Josh Bernstein said in a statement.
Details of the Floor Panel
Heritage promoted the item as “the ultimate Michael Jordan display piece,” describing it as game-used from the Bulls’ inaugural United Center season in 1994 through their 1998 championship run and later seasons until its removal in 2005-06. The maple panel bears Jordan’s signature alongside inscriptions noting his five MVP awards, six Finals MVP honors, 10 scoring titles, and 2009 Hall of Fame induction.
The listing cited a certificate of authenticity from Upper Deck Authentication—Jordan’s longtime exclusive partner—as well as third-party verification from PSA/DNA and Beckett Authentication Services.
Points Raised in the Lawsuit
Paul’s filing argues the panel’s condition does not match floors used between 1995 and 1998, suggesting it was either replaced or, as Heritage maintains, later repainted and resurfaced. The complaint also says PSA certification indicates differences in the Bulls logo compared with photographs from the 2001-05 seasons.
Emails included in court records show Heritage’s director of sports auctions, Chris Ivy, acknowledging “no such documentation” ties the panel to the 1998-99 through 2000-01 seasons. Ivy added that photo-matching firm Sports Investors Authentication failed to match the wood grain, relying instead on the logo—contrasting PSA’s own methodology.
The injunction notes that Upper Deck’s certificate references 1995-98, while PSA/DNA claims the wood matches floors used from 2001-02 to 2005-06. Representatives for Upper Deck, PSA, and Beckett were not immediately available for comment.
Heritage Responds
A Heritage spokesperson told ESPN the company “stands behind every item” it sells and believes the lawsuit “has no merit.” The auction house said it obtained the court segment directly from the Chicago Bulls and offered Paul opportunities for “in-person inspection and reasonable efforts for additional review.”
The case will return to court on Oct. 9, when a judge will consider whether to extend protections beyond the temporary restraining order.
Source: ESPN
