A jersey that belonged to late basketball star Kobe Bryant, expected to fetch between 5-7 million USD, is displayed at Sotheby's auction house in New York on February 1, 2023.
Ed Jones | AFP | Getty Images
An iconic Kobe Bryant jersey from his MVP season sold for $5.8 million on Thursday, setting a new record.
Sotheby's said the jersey worn by the late basketball star during 25 games of his 2007-2008 season is now the most expensive Kobe Bryant item ever sold at auction and the second most valuable jersey ever to be sold at auction.
The previous sale record for any item of Kobe Bryant sports memorabilia was set by a game-worn and autographed basketball jersey from the 1996-1997 season, which sold for $3.7 million in 2021.
"With today's result, Sotheby's is proud to now hold the record for any game-worn items of sports memorabilia from basketball's trifecta: Kobe, Jordan, and LeBron," said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby's head of streetwear and modern collectables, in a statement.
A representative for Sotheby's declined to comment on the jersey's buyer.
The jersey was worn during Bryant's only MVP season and appears in what has become an iconic photo of the basketball legend, where he's grabbing the jersey in elation after sinking a 3-point shot in Game 2 of the Western Conference series.
Sotheby's previously estimated the jersey would sell for between $5 million and $7 million.
Sotheby's in September soldMichael Jordan's 1998 "Last Dance" jersey for $10.1 million, a record-breaking auction in its own right.
No need for a grand introduction; let's dive right into it! That Kobe Bryant jersey, auctioned at Sotheby's for a staggering $5.8 million, is quite the piece of sports memorabilia. The jersey hails from his MVP season in 2007-2008, worn during 25 games and capturing a moment of sheer elation in an iconic photo. Now, what makes this jersey so special? Well, it's not just the association with Kobe's only MVP season—it's the historical significance and the scarcity of such items.
You see, game-worn jerseys carry a unique aura. They are tangible links to the defining moments of a player's career. In Bryant's case, the jersey is linked to a specific season and a particular game, making it a snapshot of his brilliance during that time. This context elevates its value to collectors and fans alike.
The auction itself is a testament to the booming market for sports memorabilia. Sotheby's has become a powerhouse in this arena, setting records not only for Kobe Bryant but also for other basketball legends like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. In fact, Brahm Wachter, Sotheby's head of streetwear and modern collectibles, proudly mentioned that they now hold the record for game-worn items from basketball's trifecta: Kobe, Jordan, and LeBron.
Now, the comparisons are inevitable. The previous record for Kobe Bryant memorabilia was held by a game-worn and autographed jersey from the 1996-1997 season, which sold for $3.7 million in 2021. This new sale not only surpasses that but also establishes the jersey as the second most valuable ever sold at auction. It's a fascinating trend, indicating the enduring popularity and value of items connected to sporting legends.
So, in the grand scheme of things, this jersey's sale is not just a transaction; it's a cultural moment, a validation of the impact Kobe Bryant had on the basketball world. And it's not just about the numbers—though $5.8 million is certainly eye-watering—it's about preserving and celebrating the legacy of a basketball icon through tangible artifacts that carry the weight of history.
