Kobe Bryant died nearly a year ago in a tragic helicopter crash that took the life of his daughter and seven other people, including the pilot. Bryant memorabilia was coveted before that tragedy, but it has really gotten some attention lately.
Case in point: Bryant memorabilia was the main attraction during the sale held by Grey Flannel Auctions.
The most notable item from the auction that closed early Sunday was a game-used road jersey Bryant wore in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 9, 2009.
The jersey sold for $337,334, including the buyer’s premium. It came with a letter of authenticity by the NBA, and a Photo-Match.com LOA, along with a grade of 10. It’s believed to be the most ever paid for a Bryant gamer.
Bryant scored 31 points while collecting three rebounds and eight assists in the game. The Lakers won the series in five games.
The uniform was one of two Bryant items to fetch six figures. A 1997-98 Skybox Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems holographic card of Bryant graded ‘Authentic’ by PSA sold for $123,605.
Another Bryant road uniform, worn in games on Oct. 29 and Nov. 1, 2014, game against Phoenix and Golden State, sold for $59,135.
The second-highest price realized during the auction was $230,401 for a Michael Jordan game-used home jersey from the 1997-98 season. The photo-matched jersey was worn by Jordan during the Bulls’ 105-97 victory against the Indiana Pacers on Feb. 17, 1998.
Another Jordan item came close to topping six figures. A pair of sneakers Jordan wore during the 1995-96 NBA playoffs, which were also autographed by the Bulls’ great, sold for $95,240. The auction had several other Jordan sneaker lots that sold for five figures.
A pair of Jordan rookie cards from the 1986-87 Fleer set, both graded PSA 9, sold for $52,417 and $47,652, respectively.
A game-used jersey worn by LeBron James during his 2007-08 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers finished at $78,709.
Other sports were represented in the auction, with a Wayne Gretzky game-used jersey from 1992-93 gaveled at $65,048 and a 1972 Willie Mays flannel road uniform selling for $60,667.
A total of 881 items were available for auction; only 40 lots did not have a bidder.
Interestingly, the most bids for an item was 46 — for a 2010-11 National Treasures NBA Logoman Paul Gasol No. 21 card. It sold for $3,006.
There were some unusual items that were sold, too, including a 1987 U.S. Open security jacket, a 1940 Yankee Stadium police badge that was in a framed box, a Michael Jackson funeral program from 2009 and a 1923 New York Yankees knit sweater.
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