What happened?
A Kobe Bryant jersey from his rookie season just sold for $7 million at Sotheby’s in NYC.
Why does it matter?
It’s now the 4th most expensive game-worn jersey ever sold.
It beats the previous record for any Kobe collectible (his MVP season jersey went for $5.85M).
This jersey was worn during:
His first NBA media day
His pre-season debut (Oct 16, 1996)
His regular season debut (Nov 3, 1996)
Plus 4 other rookie games.
Only these three jerseys have sold for more:
Babe Ruth’s “called shot” – $24M
Michael Jordan’s ‘Last Dance’ jersey – $10.1M
Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ shirt – $9.3M
Why so much?
According to Sotheby’s:
“Debut games are one-of-a-kind. They mark the birth of an icon. For Kobe, it’s a moment in history that can’t be repeated.”
Kobe, a five-time NBA champ, died in a tragic helicopter crash in 2020, along with his daughter Gianna and 7 others. He was just 41.
(With inputs from Reuters)