NBA legend Kobe Bryant's initial jersey fetches a staggering $7 million at auction, setting a new record for memorabilia associated with him.
Kobe Bryant's debut jersey seizes the record with a whopping $7 million sale!
The big-ticket item went under the hammer on Thursday, surpassing the previously held record for any memorabilia linked to the the late Los Angeles Lakers icon. The tragic helicopter crash in 2020 took the lives of Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others.
This eye-popping figure spanks the previous record of $5.85 million paid for Bryant's 2007-08 season jersey, which earned him the NBA's Most Valuable Player award. According to auction house Sotheby's, the jersey shows a perfect match to Bryant's debut season in the NBA in 1996-97.
Remember the fresh-faced 18-year-old in a famous yellow jersey with No. 8? That's the one! Bryant donned it during his first media day, preseason debut, regular season opener on November 3, 1996, and even in four additional games.
ESPN reports that not much went Bryant's way in his regular season debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as he played six minutes without scoring a single point on 0-1 shooting.
Sotheby's describes the jersey as a "link between the raw potential of a teenage prodigy and the refined greatness that followed." Though Bryant averaged a humble 7.6 points per game during his rookie season, he eventually retired as one of the sport's all-time greats with five championships to his name.
Brahm Wachter, Sotheby's head of modern collectibles, shared, "Early rookie jerseys represent the birth of an athlete's career. For collectors seeking genuine one-of-a-kind treasures, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own iconic pieces of hoops history."
The jersey now holds the fourth spot among the most expensive game-worn sports jerseys. It trails behind:
- Babe Ruth's "Called Shot" jersey - $24 million
- Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals jersey - $10.1 million
- Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup jersey - $9.3 million
When compared to Michael Jordan's debut-season jersey, which was linked to his preseason debut and the second and third preseason appearances, the $4 million sale seems like chump change.
The last time a jersey of similar value was sold was back in March, with the rookie jersey from Jordan's inaugural season fetching just over $4 million.
But as they say, it ain't about the points, it's about the legacy! 🏀✈😊
Connoisseurs of sports memorabilia, here's a sneak peek at the most expensive game-worn jerseys in history:
| Rank | Athlete | Jersey Description | Price ||------|-----------|-----------------------|---------|| 1 | Babe Ruth | 1920 "Called Shot" | $24 million|| 2 | Michael Jordan | 1998 NBA Finals | $10.1 million|| 3 | Diego Maradona | 1986 World Cup | $9.3 million|| 4 | Kobe Bryant | First game-worn NBA | $7 million|| 5 | Michael Jordan | "Last Dance" (2022) | $10.091 million|| 6 | Michael Jordan | 17 games (1996-97 NBA) | $4.7 million|| 7 | Wilt Chamberlain | 1972 NBA Finals Game 5 | $4.9 million|| 8 | Michael Jordan | Rookie Bulls jersey | $4.215 million|| 9 | Kobe Bryant | 2007-08 MVP | $5.85 million(No longer the most expensive Kobe Bryant's Jersey) || 10 | Michael Jordan | Unspecified season/event | |
- The memorabilia auction saw Kobe Bryant's debut jersey from his 1996-97 NBA season sell for a record-breaking $7 million.
- The previous record for any memorabilia linked to Bryant was surpassed, as the late Los Angeles Lakers icon's 2007-08 season jersey, which fetched $5.85 million, now holds the ninth spot.
- Brahm Wachter, Sotheby's head of modern collectibles, stated that early rookie jerseys represent a unique opportunity to own one-of-a-kind treasures from hoops history.
- The jersey now ranks fourth among the most expensive game-worn sports jerseys, with Babe Ruth's "Called Shot" jersey leading the list at $24 million.
