Chris Spielman's efforts to raise money for people affected by the coronavirus outbreak hit an unexpected roadblock on Sunday.
One day after his 1984 Big Ten Championship ring sold for $12,000, eBay suspended Spielman's account on Sunday, informing the former Ohio State linebacker that it was “not comfortable with your selling practices or business model, and we feel they don't help to promote a positive buying or selling environment.”
At the time, Spielman was told by an eBay representative that “this decision is final and cannot be changed.”
— Chris Spielman (@chris_spielman) April 5, 2020
As it turned out, that decision could be changed. After a conversion with Spielman on Sunday night, eBay informed him that it would reinstate his account and waive all fees for his COVID-19 relief auction, in which he is selling memorabilia from his football career in an effort to raise at least $40,000, all of which will be donated to people in financial need due to the worldwide pandemic.
Just got off phone with @eBay. They apologized and are correcting their mistake and will waive all their fees for my Covid19 relief auction. Look for items backup for auction tomorrow. I appreciate them righting their wrong. #2ndchances
— Chris Spielman (@chris_spielman) April 6, 2020
An eBay spokesperson told Eleven Warriors that Spielman's account was suspended due to violations of company policy, but his account has been reinstated – with the expectation that he will adjust his listings to comply with company policy – and the company has offered to make a donation to his efforts.
The company's official statement:
“COVID-19 is affecting each and every one of us, and eBay supports our community who want to do their part and give back. Unfortunately, the listing in question was suspended due to several listing and risk violations that are prohibited under eBay’s policies. Since we’ve reinstated the seller’s account and provided the necessary information to relist within our policies, eBay for Charity has also offered to make a donation to Spielman’s relief effort of choice.”
Spielman said that donation will be made to the Stefanie Spielman Fund, which raises money for breast cancer research in memory of his late wife, who died after a battle with breast cancer in 2009.
One more thing that came from my very cordial convo with @eBay they also agreed to make a donation @SpielmanFund which % will go to BC research. We are making great strides but that fight continues.. Good things happen when people talk 2 people not to machines
— Chris Spielman (@chris_spielman) April 6, 2020
Before his account was shut down on Sunday, Spielman had already raised more than $18,000 through his memorabilia auction. Other items sold include an All-Madden Team leather jacket that went for $2,565 and a game-worn Buffalo Bills jersey that went for $1,125. Columbus Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno also matched that bid with a donation of his own.
Spielman plans to relist additional auction items, including a game-worn 1994 Detroit Lions jersey, on Monday.
