Description:

"Because of the Magic Situation = Heat came my way because of a figure of Speech _ 20,000," writes Wilt Chamberlain upon being notified that his contract to promote Oreo cookies has been terminated because he is no longer "an appropriate spokesperson" after writing about his "20,000 sexual encounters" in his new autobiography _ Magic Johnson lost endorsements after he announced he had the HIV virus three months earlier. With 76ers/Warriors program signed by Wilt the Stilt!

Autograph Notes Unsigned on first page of 8.5" x 11" two page Typed Letter Signed "Janice L. Marturano" as Senior Corporate Counsel, Nabisco, to Wilt Chamberlain's lawyer, Seymour S. Goldberg. On Nabisco, Inc. letterhead, Parsippany, New Jersey, February 10, 1992. Light staining; it appears that the letter was already stained when Chamberlain wrote his notes. LOA from PSA/DNA.

On July 15, 1991, Wilt Chamberlain signed a contract with Nabisco to be the company's spokesperson for Oreo cookies. Three months later, in October, his second autobiography, "A View From Above," was published by Villard Books. In it he says that he bedded 20,000 women. "Yes, that's correct," he wrote, "twenty thousand different ladies. At my age, that equals out to having sex with 1.2 women a day, every day since I was fifteen years old ..."

On February 1, 1992, Seymour S. Goldberg, Chamberlain's friend, agent, and attorney, wrote to Jeffrey Myers, Senior Director of Integrated Marketing Communications at Nabisco, inquiring as to why Chamberlain had not received any payments due him according to his contract.

On February 10, 1992, Janice L. Marturano, Senior Corporate Counsel at Nabisco, acknowledged Myers' receipt of Goldberg's letter which "has been forwarded to my attention. The statements in your letter indicate that you are not aware of several critical facts related to this matter. Let me begin with Nabisco's contract with Mr. Chamberlain dated July 15, 1991. Specifically, Paragraph 16 of the contract clearly states that if Mr. Chamberlain commits any act _which reflects unfavorably' upon his reputation, then Nabisco may immediately terminate the agreement and Nabisco shall have no further obligation to Mr. Chamberlain. The 20,000 sexual encounters of Mr. Chamberlain, and his subsequent exploitation of the encounters in the media, are acts which reflect unfavorably on his reputation and Nabisco was, therefore, within its rights to terminate the agreement and make no payments to Mr. Chamberlain.

"Second, Mr. Chamberlain was specifically asked by Nabisco about the contents of his book during the contract negotiations and he was made aware of Nabisco's concern about an appropriate spokesperson for a cookie marketed to children and their mothers. Mr. Chamberlain assured Nabisco that there was nothing in the book that would create any controversy or stand in the way of his being an appropriate spokesperson for Oreo cookies. This was clearly a misrepresentation of the facts ... Mr. Chamberlain's book and his widespread publicity of certain acts described in the book make him an incompatible spokesperson for a product aimed at children..."

Wilt Chamberlain read this letter and he scrawled his comments in the upper and lower blank areas of the first page. He's written in the upper portion:

Wilt Chamberlain read this letter and he scrawled his comments in the upper and lower blank areas of the first page. He's written in the upper portion:

"I told them about the Book / they Knew Nothing about the / Book, Gave them permission to Read / the manuscript."

Across the bottom, Chamberlain added "Because of the Magic Situation = Heat came my way / Because of a figure of Speech _ 20,000."

On November 7, 1991, Los Angeles Laker superstar Magic Johnson announced to a stunned world, "Because of the HIV virus I have attained, I will have to announce my retirement from the Lakers today..."

A month before Nabisco notified Chamberlain's lawyer that the basketball superstar's contract had been terminated, "Advertisers Shying From Magic's Touch" was the headline on Harvey Araton's "On Basketball" column in the January 1, 1992 issue of "The New York Times." In part, "It has taken several weeks, but America has begun to emotionally distance itself from Magic Johnson. In a recent article by The Associated Press, a spokesman for Pepsi-Cola, Andrew Giangola, brazenly admitted that a new promotional campaign featuring Johnson, whose contract with that company expires next summer, _is not on the front burner.' The article also quoted Marty Blackman, of the advertising consulting firm Blackman & Rayber Limited, on the likelihood that _companies will fully support his public commitment and refrain from using him in active advertising.' In other words, forget about using Johnson's name to help foster a new enlightenment on AIDS. Corporate America will apparently give at the office, nothing more ... But despite early promises by Johnson's other endorsement companies to stand by him, to make a public show of complete support, most Johnson ads have already been pulled and most of the companies are going to walk..."

Wilt Chamberlain has decided that the reason he lost the Nabisco contract is because the cookie company is afraid the public won't buy Oreos with him as the spokesperson because of his "20,000" comment,"Because of the Magic Situation."

Program Signed by Wilt Chamberlain! Accompanied by a 1964 Philadelphia 76'ers vs San Francisco Warriors program / scorecard, softcover, 24 pages, 8" x 10.5". "The Spirit of 76'ers," January 17, 1964, Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Two staples at spine, split at bottom. Covers and center pages loose. Tear at back cover not near signatures. Signed on back cover by Basketball Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain (SF) and Nate Thurmond (SF), and by Al Attles (SF), Jerry Greenspan (76ers), Hubie White (76ers), Ken Sears (SF), Guy Rodgers (SF), and two others. Signed on the unused score page by Hall of Famers Dolph Schayes (76ers player/coach) and Alex Hannum (SF coach) and by Tom Meschery (SF). Fine signatures!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. Shipping and handling costs are competitive, we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx and USPS to P.O. Boxes only. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT and may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see Terms and Conditions of Sale.

January 28, 2016 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000