Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith wants his stuff back. The former University of Michigan standout, who was drafted No. 26 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, had his storage unit go up for auction — and sell for extremely cheap — earlier this month.
Smith was first made aware of the sale through TikTok videos that went viral. The three-part series has accumulated more than 1.2 million views over four days.
Vincent Broadway self-describes himself as a “reseller looking for cool finds.” He, much like the folks on Storage Wars, often purchases storage units that have had their lease expire without payment and sells the possessions of value to pawn shops or at an auction.
His three most recent posts on TikTok are from the same unit. It was Smith’s unit!
Broadway initially purchased the unit for $1,880 because of the giant gun safe right in front. He quickly discovered that there was a lot more to it, including the Wolverines’ entire playbook from 2022.
The shoe collection was/is especially lucrative!
Broadway estimates that Smith’s kicks are worth approximately $20,000 in total. They include the Travis Scott Jordan 1s and multiple player-exclusive sneakers like: Michigan Jordan 1 Lows, Michigan Jordan 12s, UNC Jordan 13s, Michigan Jordan 6s and Michigan Jordan 1 Highs.
That list does not even begin to scratch the surface of the haul. Nor does it discuss all of Smith’s clothing from Michigan, his Lego collection, a Louis Vuitton toiletry bag, or the $12,000 paid of solid gold sunglasses.
Here is a better look at the full gear haul:
Mazi Smith wants it back.
Not long after the videos went viral on TikTok, attorney Levi G. McCathern II issued a statement to the Daily Mail. He said that Smith had no idea that his storage unit was going up for auction.
Mazi Smith was completely unaware that his personal belongings had been sold until he was sent the TikTok video of the man who purchased the storage unit where his belongings were being stored.
— Levi G. McCathern II
It is Smith’s hope that all of his stuff will be returned to him and he is going to try and get it all back.
Obviously, Mazi has been in constant motion since being drafted last year. In the course of moving and changing banks, payment for this unit somehow fell through the cracks. Mazi obviously wants his possessions back, and we will immediately begin working towards that goal. We are hopeful that the individual in possession of Mazi’s unique personal items will cooperate with us on their speedy return.
— Levi G. McCathern II
It is entirely unclear as to how this might play out. Smith’s unit went up for auction after he failed to pay the lease. Broadway purchased his unit, which makes him the owner of its contents.
Does Smith have legal ground on which to stand? Did he receive multiple warnings about his failed payment for the storage unit? Is Broadway required to return the items or are they rightfully his?
Smith will likely make a lucrative offer for the return of his personal belongings. Broadway may or may not choose to accept if he does.