Iconic Kobe Bryant jersey up for auction, expected to fetch up to $7 million

An iconic portion of Kobe Bryant memorabilia is hitting the auction block, and it's expected to beryllium his astir invaluable point ever to spell up for sale.

Sotheby's is listing a Kobe Bryant jersey, worn successful 25 games during his 2007-2008 MVP season. The institution said it expects the jersey to merchantability for betwixt $5 cardinal and $7 cardinal successful the online auction.

Images of Bryant successful the jersey person garnered worldwide designation since the hoops star's abrupt decease 3 years ago.

"To person this jersey from that iconic infinitesimal is not lone truly special, but it has besides served arsenic this constituent of inspiration each implicit the satellite of Kobe successful this jersey," Brahm Wachter, Sotheby's caput of streetwear and modern collectibles, told CNBC.

The now-famous representation of Bryant was taken April 23, 2008, successful Game 2 of the Western Conference series. With 5 minutes and 22 seconds remaining, Bryant sank a three-pointer securing a 14-point pb for the Los Angeles Lakers. The representation from that infinitesimal of the hoops prima screaming with glee and pulling astatine his No. 24 jersey is known the satellite over, commemorating his lone MVP season.

Bryant wore the jersey successful 25 games implicit an eight-month period, successful which helium averaged 25.8 points per game, Wachter said.

Since the five-time NBA champion's untimely decease successful a chopper clang successful January 2020, Bryant memorabilia has seen beardown demand, with income rivaling different fable — Michael Jordan.

Sotheby's made headlines successful September for selling Michael Jordan's 1998 "Last Dance" jersey for $10.1 million, a record-breaking auction. But earlier that, a Jordan jersey from his nonrecreational vocation had yet to surpass $1 million.

Meanwhile, Bryant jerseys person antecedently sold for $3.69 million successful 2021, the existing grounds for a portion of the precocious player's memorabilia, and $2.7 million successful June 2022.

"Kobe is idiosyncratic who doesn't conscionable animate hoops players, helium inspires different athletes, helium inspires executives and concern people. It's idiosyncratic that touches a batch of antithetic radical and truthful successful that sense, I deliberation possibly he's 1 of the strongest markets, period," Wachter said.

Many investors person turned to the sports collectible markets successful caller years arsenic a mode to diversify assets amid turmoil successful accepted investing markets.

Sotheby's said request for sports artifacts remains beardown and that it's seen a fig of backstage transactions astatine precocious levels.

Bidding for the jersey begins online Feb. 2 and lasts until Feb. 9.