AdmiralBulldog’s unsold TI3 ring and the value of esports memory

When Henrik “AdmiralBulldog” Ahnberg quietly listed his The International 2013 championship ring on eBay last week, it sparked equal parts surprise and nostalgia. The ring, a relic from TI3 where Alliance defeated Natus Vincere in one of the most iconic grand finals in Dota 2 history, carried a starting bid of $70,000 and a “Buy It Now” price of $99,000.

A piece of esports history was entering the open market.

And then the auction ended with no sale, no buyer. Not even any bids.

The ring, the moment, and the math

On paper, the valuation wasn’t outrageous. TI3 is widely considered the most influential tournament in Dota 2’s competitive history. It marked the peak of early esports spectacle, cemented Alliance’s place in legend, and gave the world one of the most replayed matches of all time.

From a historical standpoint, the ring represents:

• One of the first true global esports moments
• A championship that shaped Dota’s identity
• A player whose name is inseparable from that era

Why it didn't sell

The failed sale doesn’t mean the ring lacks value, it just means its value is...complicated.

Unlike traditional sports memorabilia, esports artifacts exist in a strange middle ground. They are deeply meaningful to fans, but rarely backed by institutional collectors, museums, or legacy auction houses. There is no established “esports memorabilia market” in the way there is for baseball cards, NBA rings, or Olympic medals.

A TI ring is priceless to the player who earned it. While it does carry real value, the symbolic weight doesn’t automatically convert into a six-figure sale.

When history sells — and when it doesn’t

To understand why AdmiralBulldog’s TI3 ring didn’t move, it helps to look at how history is valued elsewhere and how far esports still has to go.

In traditional sports, historically significant memorabilia shatters records.

A Babe Ruth jersey from the infamous 1932 “Called Shot” sold for more than $24 million, becoming the most expensive sports collectible ever auctioned. Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey fetched over $10 million. Lionel Messi’s match-worn jerseys from Argentina’s 2022 World Cup run brought in $7.8 million. Muhammad Ali’s championship belt from the “Rumble in the Jungle” cleared $6 million.

These items weren’t valuable simply because they were rare. They were valuable because they represented moments that transcended sport itself. Decades of mythology, mainstream recognition, and institutional collecting all played a role. Museums and private collectors want them and auction houses know exactly how to sell them.

Esports doesn’t have that ecosystem yet.

Can esports history be priced?

That raises the obvious question: what esports memorabilia would sell?

If any items could command serious value, they would likely be tied to moments that defined the scene itself. Not just a team’s success, but an era’s beginning.

Candidates might include:

• Dendi’s TI1 artifacts, representing the birth of The International
• OG’s back-to-back TI8 and TI9 rings, tied to the most dominant era in Dota history
• Items associated with players whose influence extends beyond their game

Even then, it’s unclear whether the buyers exist.

In traditional sports, championship rings often sell for hundreds of thousands millions but usually decades later, when nostalgia matures into legacy. Olympic medals regularly appear at auction as well, often sold by athletes who feel the emotional chapter has closed and the financial value can now serve a different purpose.

Esports simply hasn’t reached that point.

What the unsold ring actually tells us

Esports is still young. Its legends are still active. Its greatest moments are still fresh enough to feel current rather than archival. The distance required for commodification hasn’t fully formed yet.

In traditional sports, championship artifacts often reach peak value only after eras have closed and players have faded into history. Esports hasn’t crossed that threshold.

One day, items like a TI ring may sit behind glass or trade hands through elite auction houses. But today, esports history still lives where it was born — in the matches, in the moments, and in the memories fans keep alive themselves.

And sometimes, history just isn’t ready to be bought.