Miami Heat Employee Accused of Stealing and Selling Franchise Memorabilia

A former security staff member for the Miami Heat is under investigation for stealing and selling millions of dollars worth of the team’s memorabilia, including a legendary LeBron James game-worn NBA Finals jersey.

Marcos Thomas Perez, aged 62, allegedly took over 400 jerseys and other valuable items from the team’s equipment room during his employment from 2016 to 2021. Afterward, he worked as an NBA security employee from 2022 until 2025, during which he purportedly sold the stolen items on the black market, prosecutors say.

Among the stolen items was James’ jersey from the 2013 NBA Finals’ Game 7, worn during a historic performance that led the Heat to victory. This jersey was later auctioned by Sotheby’s in 2023 for $3.7 million, making it one of the most expensive jerseys ever sold, but it was originally purchased by Perez for only $100,000, according to federal charges.

Prosecutors also revealed that over the three-year-stretch, Perez sold stolen equipment worth approximately $2 million. Many of these items were intended for display in a future Miami Heat museum, the team disclosed.

Police executed a raid on Perez’s Miami home in April, uncovering hundreds more pieces of memorabilia, including additional game-worn jerseys. Officials noted that many of these stolen items were intended for display at a Miami Heat museum.

Perez faces federal charges for transporting and transferring stolen goods across state lines, marking a significant theft scandal involving sports memorabilia.