*Kobe Bryant’s 2000 NBA championship has set a new sports memorabilia record, fetching nearly one million dollars at Goldin Auctions.
Bryant’s first championship win was the ring, which he won when the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers in 2000. Kobe gifted the ring to his father, Joe, who reportedly put it up for auction. It recently sold for $927,200 USD. Goldin Auctions announced the record-breaking sale, now holding the title for the most expensive NBA championship ring sold, HypeBeast reports.
In a statement, Goldin said, “Obtained directly from the Bryant family, this ring is a true one-of-a-kind, and we can confirm that it is the only championship ring ever given by Kobe to his father.”
As we reported, Bryant’s parents received significant criticism from fans across social media for auctioning off his first championship ring.
One person wrote on X (formally Twitter), “His parents needed that money. Congrats to them!”
RECORD SALE FOR ANY NBA TITLE RING 🏀 💍
A 2000 Lakers Championship Players Ring, gifted by Kobe to his father Joe, has sold in our March Elite.
This is the same ring originally consigned to Goldin by the Bryant Family in 2013, & the new owner (NOT Joe Bryant) is our consignor. pic.twitter.com/ZaUD0PhRs4
— Goldin (@GoldinCo) March 31, 2024
We reported earlier that the Lakers unveiled a statue of Bryant wearing the No. 8 uniform at Crypto.com Arena in February.
Bryan’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, said there will be two other statues, one with him wearing No. 24 and with daughter Gianna, who was killed with the Lakers star in a helicopter crash in 2020, ABC 7 reports. The other two statues were not displayed at the ceremony.
“Because fans all over the world and the City of Angels loved Kobe so much, he will have three statues in front of the arena – also known as the house that Kobe built,” Vanessa said during the tribute.
“For the record, Kobe picked the pose you’re about to see,” she said. “So if anyone has any issues with it, tough (expletive). It is what it is.”
According to Vanessa, Kobe chose the pose years before he died. It “represents a moment from his stunning 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, the second-highest point total in a single game in NBA history,” ABC 7 writes.
Five NBA championship trophies surround the base of the statue. It is engraved with “Kobe Bean Bryant” and his nickname, “Black Mamba.”
READ MORE: Kobe Bryant’s Parents Catch Wrath of Fans for Auctioning Championship Ring | WATCH
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
