Per a clip compilation posted by the "Pawn Stars” YouTube channel, a seller named Noreana brought in a banged-up box of Wheaties autographed by Tonya Harding, who was also pictured on the package raising a triumphant fist. The box belonged to Noreana's mother, whose friend had apparently lived with Harding. Through that latter affiliation, Noreana obtained four photos of the skater as well as Jeff Gillooly's chaperone badge from the 1992 World Figure Skating Championships.
Noreana thought the collection of Harding memorabilia was "cool to have" but figured it would "be even cooler" to get $500 for it. Feeling iffy about the asking price, Rick picked the brain of a sports memorabilia expert who said that "maybe about a half-dozen" Harding Wheaties boxes had probably been made in case the skater lived up to the brand's "breakfast of champions" label at the Olympics. But it proved to be a Winter Games of discontent for Harding, who finished in eighth place while Nancy Kerrigan not only competed but clinched a silver medal. Although Harding steadfastly denied all involvement in planning the attack on Kerrigan, in the weeks following the Olympics she pleaded guilty to "conspiracy to hinder prosecution." She got stripped of her U.S. national title and banned for life by the United States Figure Skating Association (via Biography).
What would Rick pay for a box of Tonya Harding's unrealized dreams? Not $500. The expert gave a ballpark valuation of 150 bucks for the box and another $50 for the badge, putting the total at $200. That was the highest Rick was willing to go. Noreana took the offer, but maybe her mother took the money.
