The 2026 Academy Awards delivered its usual mix of glamour and unexpected moments. Among the most talked about appearances on the red carpet came from Shark Tank investor and businessman Kevin O’Leary. O’Leary turned heads with an equally bold fashion statement. He arrived wearing a silver-accented robe and an eye-catching necklace that carried one of the rarest sports collectibles in existence. The striking display caught the attention of another notable guest standing nearby. Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, whose film It Was Just an Accident drew critical acclaim, appeared to watch the spectacle with a blank expression. Footage from the red carpet spread across social media.
Kevin O’Leary’s NBA necklace gets a surprising reaction from Jafar Panahi
While walking the red carpet, Kevin O’Leary proudly displayed the necklace to photographers. The chain held a transparent case containing rare NBA trading cards, a collectible he had previously showcased during awards season. As cameras captured the moment, the lens briefly shifted toward Panahi, who stood nearby observing the scene with a neutral expression that quickly sparked online reactions.Check out the video:Panahi has faced ongoing challenges in his home country, where his work has drawn criticism from authorities. Reports ahead of the Oscars noted that he had been sentenced to one year in prison over alleged propaganda charges.Elsewhere on the red carpet, O’Leary also addressed controversy involving his Marty Supreme co-star Timothée Chalamet, who was nominated for Best Actor.“He’s a really great guy,” O’Leary told Variety at the event, adding that he placed a bet on the results of the evening as well.“I just put 1,000 bucks on Kalshi walking in here that he’s going to win, because I know the voting stops long before that controversy happened. The kid is a great kid. He took a bum rap on that. And by the way, gave a lot of promo to opera houses and ballet.”
Why is Kevin O’Leary’s necklace significant?
Kevin O’Leary arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
The necklace drew attention because of what it contained. Inside the case sat the legendary Triple Logoman card from the 2004 Upper Deck Exquisite collection. The card includes game-used NBA logo patches worn by three iconic players: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James.Collectors consider the item one of the rarest sports cards ever produced. It is a 1-of-1 card with the highest possible grading, making it unique in the collectibles market. The card has never appeared at public auction, which makes its market value difficult to determine. Estimates suggest it could be worth between $25 million and $30 million.The card was placed in a custom case crafted by Tiffany & Co.. The holder features white gold, diamonds, and rubies, and hangs with a chain. O’Leary paired the necklace with a custom jacket by Dolce & Gabbana that reportedly took several months to create.
