Here’s how Kobe Bryant’s debut jersey became the biggest star in the history of sports memorabilia. Except that it just sold for an astonishing $7 million at a Sotheby’s auction … just kidding! This extraordinary sale now becomes the highest price ever paid for any Kobe Bryant sports collectible. The jersey itself is photo-matched to seven electrifying performances from Bryant’s rookie season (1996-97) with the Los Angeles Lakers. It features important milestones such as his preseason debut on October 16, 1996, and his regular-season debut on November 3, 1996.
The auction sparked a competitive bidding war. It eventually broke the former record of $5,849,700 for a game-worn, signed jersey from Bryant’s 2007-08 season, in which he won his only MVP award. This $7 million transaction, this jersey joins the number four most-expensive game-worn sports jersey ever sold. That puts it in second place behind the mythical Babe Ruth “called shot” jersey at $24 million and Diego Maradona’s famous “Hand of God” jersey at $9.3 million.
The jersey’s provenance is impressive, having been linked to significant events in Bryant’s early career. In his first-ever NBA regular season game, he took one shot, not scoring any points. He contributed the one rebound in just over six minutes of action, and had the block, too of course. Despite this humble beginning, Bryant quickly rose to prominence, becoming an All-Star in his second season and showcasing his talent by averaging 15.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 0.9 steals.
As Sotheby’s executive vice president, Brahm Wachter heads up the auction house’s streetwear and modern collectibles division. He pointed to how important these jerseys are for an athlete’s career.
“Debut games are truly one-of-a-kind moments in an athlete’s career,” – Brahm Wachter
He went on to underline the importance of these milestones and the legacy they create for all-time greats like Bryant.
“They mark the nascency of an extraordinary journey, and for iconic athletes like Kobe Bryant, these milestones hold even more significance as they represent a singular moment in time that can never be replicated,” – Brahm Wachter
That’s quite an increase in value, as evidenced by this most recent sale! In comparison, the jersey only fetched $115,242 back in 2012. The recent boom in sports memorabilia popularity just shows how big this market has become for both collectors and casual fans.
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