Gilbert's new $25,000 chair

Interesting story today to come out of the Washington Wizards PR department. ...

Gilbert Arenas is well known for his signed jersey collection, perhaps less so for his car collection. Now, he's got a piece of history to add to his museum-size home in Great Falls, Va.

According to a release the team sent out this afternoon, Arenas donated $25,000 to Wizards Care, the team's charitable arm, to acquire the autographed chair that President Obama sat in when his Chicago Bulls came to the Verizon Center on Feb. 27, 2009. The president autographed the back of the chair — ‘Gold North AAA Seat Number 2’ — after the Wizards win.

The charity had intended to open online bidding on the chair on Wednesday when Arenas came in with his "tremendous bid," according to Wizards Senior Vice President of Community Relations Judy Holland. “It was our full intention to auction off this historic item to raise funds for Wizards Care. ... Everybody is a winner because of Gilbert’s generosity.”

The perfect place for that new chair? Courtside on the basketball court Arenas envisions building, the clear one to showcase all of his jerseys, of course.

- John Taylor