The memory of the late NBA icon Kobe Bryant continues to live on, and now, a significant piece of his legacy is up for auction.
Bryant’s locker from the Staples Center is being offered by Sotheby’s, with an estimated value between $1 million and $1.5 million, the auction house announced on Monday, July 22.
According to Sotheby’s, the locker was discarded during the Staples Center renovation in 2018. An individual involved in the renovation kept and stored it, recognizing its future value. The locker was later acquired by a private collector and is now part of the ALTITUDE | CAPSULE COLLECTION.
Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles, emphasized the significance of the locker. “Kobe Bryant’s locker at the Staples Center is more than just a piece of memorabilia; it’s a sacred relic of his unparalleled journey.
This locker was Kobe’s sanctuary amidst triumphs and challenges, a witness to the highs and lows of a storied career. Every achievement and hardship left its mark within these walls,” he said in a statement.
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Sotheby’s described the locker as an integral part of Bryant’s legacy, noting its intimate connection to the NBA legend. “This locker stands as an incredibly rare and intimate remnant, commemorating Bryant’s more personal moments, while also serving as a testament to his unmatched legacy and impact on the game itself,” the auction house stated in the release.
The online auction for Bryant’s locker began on July 22 and will continue through August 2. A public viewing of the item will be held from July 26 to July 30 at Sotheby’s York Avenue galleries in New York City.
In addition to Bryant’s locker, the auction features other notable sports memorabilia. Items include a pair of Michael Jordan’s shorts worn during his final basketball game, an autographed Diego Maradona World Cup semifinal jersey, one of Rafael Nadal’s tennis rackets from the 2006 French Open and Wimbledon championships, and Florence Griffith Joyner’s record-setting spikes from the 1988 Olympic Games.
This auction follows a notable sale in April, where Bryant’s 2000 Los Angeles Lakers NBA championship ring, which he had given to his father, Joe Bryant, sold for $927,200, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
This sale set a record for the most expensive NBA championship ring ever sold, surpassing the previous record of $705,000 for Bill Russell’s 1957 ring sold in 2021. The 2021 sale marked the third time Bryant’s ring was auctioned since his parents first put it up for sale in 2013.
The auction of Bryant’s locker and other memorabilia highlights the enduring impact and legacy of one of the greatest basketball players of all time. The items not only commemorate Bryant’s illustrious career but also offer fans and collectors a chance to own a piece of sports history.
