Kobe Bryant: For collectors and investors, memorabilia like autographed sports jerseys, antique photographs, and anything owned by famous people may be quite valuable.
Fans and enthusiasts may strongly desire these items since they frequently increase in value over time.
Buyers and sellers frequently meet at auctions to place bids on these rare and expensive antiques.
For both buyers and sellers, the competitive atmosphere of auctions may raise prices and foster a sense of excitement and enthusiasm.
Additionally, items may be verified and authenticated at auctions, increasing their worth and legitimacy.
Overall, the value of memorabilia that is sold at auctions may be high, giving investors and collectors a chance to buy rare and priceless items.
A Kobe Bryant jersey has recently become the most notable piece of memorabilia to be auctioned off.
The auction
The basketball legend’s 2007–2008 MVP season jersey will be auctioned off.
It is anticipated to be the Kobe Bryant item with the highest selling price.
Sotheby’s is holding an auction for the Kobe Bryant jersey.
It is one of the oldest and most renowned auction houses in the world.
Sotheby’s was established in London in 1744 and focused on collecting beautiful art, old things, and antiques.
The objects sold at Sotheby’s auctions include paintings, sculptures, furniture, jewelry, fine wine, and more.
The organization holds auctions in-person, online, and privately in its own salerooms.
The auction house Sotheby’s is renowned for selling some of the most expensive and famous pieces of art in history and frequently breaks global auction records for different artists and works of art.
Major art markets across the world, including New York, London, Hong Kong, and Paris, are served by the company.
The jersey is anticipated to garner between $5 million and $7 million during the online auction, according to the auction house.
Significance of the jersey
One of Kobe Bryant’s best and most successful seasons as a professional basketball player was the 2007–2008 campaign.
He guided the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA Finals and the best record in the Western Conference.
Bryant averaged 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game during the regular season.
In a game against the Toronto Raptors, he also scored 81 points, a career record for points in a single game.
He was the league’s MVP and made the All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Teams.
Bryant led the Lakers to the NBA Finals during this season, which is regarded as one of the most memorable in NBA history.
In 25 games over the course of eight months, he scored 25.8 points on average.
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Imagery
Since Kobe Bryant’s unexpected death in 2020, the picture of him wearing the jersey rose to prominence.
The head of streetwear and contemporary collectibles at Sotheby’s, Brahm Wachter, detailed what it was like to have the jersey around.
“To have this jersey from that iconic moment is not really special, but it has also served as this point of inspiration all over the world of Kobe in this jersey,” said Wachter.
On April 23, 2008, during Game 2 of the Western Conference playoffs, Kobe Bryant was captured in the iconic photo.
The Lakers legend made a three-pointer with 5 minutes and 22 seconds left on the clock to establish a 14-point advantage.
The moment produced the iconic photograph of Bryant pulling his No. 24 jersey while screaming in euphoria, which has come to represent his lone MVP campaign.
Jersey sales
As a result of Kobe Bryant’s untimely passing in 2020, sales of his memorabilia exceeded those of fellow superstar Michael Jordan.
Sotheby’s made news in September when it sold Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance” jersey from 1998 for a record-breaking $10.1 million.
The price of the Michael Jordan jersey from his playing days did not yet surpass $1 million prior to the auction.
Kobe Bryant jerseys went for $3.69 million in 2021, although the price eventually dropped to $2.7 million in June last year.
“Kobe is someone who doesn’t just inspire basketball players, he inspires other athletes, he inspires executives and business people,” said Brahm Wachter.
“It’s somebody that touches a lot of different people and so in that sense, I think perhaps he’s one of the strongest markets, period.”
Investors have recently focused on sports collectibles to diversify assets in the established investment markets.
Sotheby’s asserted that despite some high-profile private sales, there was still a robust market for sports collectibles.
On February 2, the online auction for Kobe Bryant’s jersey will begin.
It will expire on February 9.
Reference:
Iconic Kobe Bryant jersey up for auction, expected to fetch up to $7 million
