America’s Cup: Auctioneer Thrilled With Liquidiation Sale

Say what you will about the masterminds behind the America’s Cup — but they don’t seem to be overly nostalgic. One day after the controversial regatta’s on-the-water conclusion, the fixtures and furnishings found within the buildings generously provided by the city and its Port went under the gavel, en masse.

In insider’s terms, this is what’s known as “a cleanup sale.” And, per the man running the auction, the America’s Cup Event Authority cleaned up.

“The initial sale was fantastic!” gushes David Barkoff, the director of sales for Heritage Global Partners. He pegs the haul as a total “in the low six-figures.” Calls to the Event Authority for a more specific haul have not yet been returned.

Some 185 registrants showed up to bid upon “108 lots of mostly furniture,” per Barkoff. But it wasn’t just furniture to be had. Also available: olive trees, artificial grass, aluminum barriers, picnic tables, security badge scanners, light fixtures, bean bags, photographs of yachts, a ping-pong table, murals of yachts, floating advertising rafts, a KayakPro SUP Ergometer stand-up paddleboard, and a remote-control boat pool.

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Barkoff is unsure when, if ever, more sales — of more interesting fare, perhaps — will take place.

“Obviously, a lot of things are up in the air,” he says.

That’s certainly true. For one thing, the site of the next America’s Cup remains up in the air.

“We are patiently waiting and ready to add value.”

Maybe, in San Francisco’s case, the next America’s Cup will do the same. Story