Karl Malone mansion sells at auction for $2.75 million

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- Basketball legend Karl Malone's Salt Lake City mansion sold for $2.75 million Thursday in an auction that attracted 12 bidders from Utah, California and Florida.

""We set out to sell the home at the market price, and with a nationwide campaign that drew a strong field of bidders, we're satisfied that we achieved that,"" said Thayne Fisher, vice president of Malone Properties, which manages Malone's real estate holdings.

Bidding opened at $1.5 million and quickly moved to $2 million, finally working its way to the final sale price. Purchasing the home was Dwight Manley, of Newport Beach, Calif. Manley -- a sports agent whose client list has included Malone, Donyell Marshall, Byron Russell and Dennis Rodman -- bid by telephone from California.

Fisher said he had not been aware that Manley was interested in the home until 24 hours before the auction. ""In retrospect, it's not surprising. He's been a guest in the home and always loved it, so he felt that at that price, he'd like to own it,"" said Fisher.

Auctioneer Craig King said he was pleased with the outcome. ""We had a strong crowd, and the bidding started out very briskly, so it was clear from the outset that we'd have a good sale,"" said King.

In all, more than 100 people -- including auctioneers, bidders and guests -- gathered at the home, which has an indoor basketball court, steam room, sauna and huge living areas with massive wood beams and columns, according to King. It has eight bedrooms, five fireplaces, a shooting range, and an outdoor pool and poolhouse.