As fully expected, hundreds of people quickly took to sites like eBay to try and profit off items given to them at Staples Center during Kobe Bryant’s public memorial. Memorial attendees at Los Angeles’ Staples Center were given numerous keepsakes, including T-shirts, pins and commemorative tickets.
Those things were being resold for hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars.
Soon after, TMZ Sports had noticed that multiple listings had suddenly disappeared, and it was done by design.
“Turns out, eBay has a policy that prohibits sellers from profiting off of “human tragedy or suffering.”
In fact, eBay sent an email to one seller explaining their position — “Please note, due to sudden and tragic passing of Kobe Bryant – eBay has made the decision to prohibit the sale of merchandise, images and mugs relating to their passing.”
“We do not allow listings that attempt to profit from human tragedy or suffering.”
Over 20,000 people packed the Staples Center Monday to mourn Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, who were tragically taken way too soon in a helicopter crash alongside seven others on a hillside in Calabasas, California.
Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, Michael Jordan, and Shaq were just one of many to deliver emotional speeches at the event.
