The iconic Detroit mascot was listed on Facebook Marketplace, described as "the ultimate bragging piece for the Detroit Red Wings fan"
A now vanished listing on 'Facebook Marketplace' (a surprisingly useful website allowing users to buy and sell generally used goods) offered "the ultimate bragging piece for the Detroit Red Wings fan:" the iconic "Al the Octopus" statue lowered to the ice before home playoff games at Joe Louis Arena, complete with the autograph of longtime Zamboni driver Al Sobotka on each piece. The listed price was $30,000, a relative pittance for the prize on offer.
I was taken aback by seeing word of the listing for two reasons. First, it seemed utterly bizarre that such an item would appear on sale by some random dude on Facebook Marketplace (No offense, dude, if you happen to be reading this). Second, at perhaps for this I was foolish, I had always believed that Al the Octopus "statue," which I had seen only on television, to have been inflatable, rather than a statue made of different collapsable parts.
Apr 17, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Al the Octopus is lowered to the ice during pregame ceremonies prior to game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis ArenaThat the listing is no longer raises some natural questions: Did the seller rethink the decision to part with such a trophy piece? Did a buyer meet the handsome asking price? As of this writing, THN Detroit cannot confirm. However, should you have any insight into the matter, don't hesitate to reach out.