A game-worn Kobe Bryant jersey, which was also signed by the Los Angeles Lakers legend, is scheduled to be auctioned by Sotheby’s next month and, per estimates, could fetch as much as $7 million.
The listing claims the jersey was worn for 25 games during the 2007/08 season, including the night the former shooting guard was presented with the only MVP trophy he won during his career.
The gold Lakers jersey’s value falls between $5-7 million and will be available for action from February 2 to February 9.
“The jersey is tied to perhaps the most iconic imagery of Kobe,” Brahm Wachter, the head of Sotheby’s streetwear and modern collectibles told Women’s Wear Daily.
“In game two of the Western Conference first round, Kobe sent a three-pointer and sort of did this celebration and all of these images were taken. The imagery associated with that moment has taken on a life of its own.
“Notably, the most visited and most famous Kobe mural in Los Angeles painted by Jonas Never features this jersey. As we began a search around the world, we were seeing this jersey in China and Australia. There are murals all over the world that feature this imagery.”
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The jersey shows extensive signs of wear and tear but Watcher insists that has made it even more valuable as many NBA jerseys aren’t worn more than twice. This particular one was in very intimate contact with Bryant’s body at least 25 times.
Kobe and the Lakers would reach the NBA finals in the 2007/08 season too, but they lost to the Boston Celtics in six games. The deceased superstar led L.A to consecutive NBA championships in the two seasons that followed.
