Sotheby’s is auctioning off one of Kobe Bryant’s most iconic jerseys from his MVP season in 2007-2008. According to a report from CNBC, the jersey is expected to fetch a record-breaking amount at the auction.
Bryant wore this jersey for 25 games during the 2007-2008 season, including during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, where he made a three-pointer that gave the Los Angeles Lakers a significant lead. In celebration, Bryant raised his jersey, an image that can be seen on murals and paintings around the world.
Sotheby’s has estimated that the jersey will sell for between $5 million and $7 million, making it the most expensive piece of Kobe Bryant’s memorabilia ever sold.
A previous Bryant’s jersey sold for $3.69 million in 2021, however, Sotheby’s head of streetwear and modern collectibles, Brahm Wachter, stated that the significance of this jersey adds extra value. He said that to have this jersey from that iconic moment is not only special but it has also served as a point of inspiration all over the world of Kobe in this jersey.
Online bidding for the jersey will begin on February 2nd and will run until February 9th. Even after his death in 2020, Kobe Bryant continues to inspire people from all walks of life, and this has had an impact on the sports memorabilia market.
According to Brahm Wachter, head of streetwear and modern collectibles at Sotheby’s, Kobe Bryant’s lasting effect on people has had an impact on the sports memorabilia market.
He said “Kobe is someone who doesn’t just inspire basketball players, he inspires other athletes, he inspires executives and business people. 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.”
In that 2007-08 season, Bryant averaged 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. He led the Lakers to the NBA Finals before the team fell to the Boston Celtics in six games.
Brandon Shields
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