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The Sotheby’s are auctioning off the jerseys of Michael Jordan and Kobe Brian Trokey. The two items are expected to acquire a total of $20 million. This sale happens as rookie memorabilia sees a surge in popularity and pricing. Vince Butch | AFP | Getty Images
Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan (L) turns his eyes to the basket while being protected by Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The rare memorabilia from two of the National Basketball Association’s biggest icons have hit the auction block and are expected to sell for a total of $20 million.
The Sotheby’s announced on Thursday that it will feature auction Michael Jordan and Kobe Brian True Rookie jerseys worn in each of their respective NBA games. This auction comes as rookie memorabilia has seen a recent rise in popularity and pricing.
“The historical weight of these two jerseys is hard to exaggerate. They are as rare as they come,” Brahm Wachter, head of modern collectibles at Sotheby, said in a statement.
Jerseys will be available in separate lots from March 21st.
The Sotheby’s have auctioned out a rare jersey from Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant’s rookie season.
The Jordanian Jersey was first worn in Peoria, Illinois on October 5, 1984, and played its first game for the Chicago Bulls in front of a crowd of just 2,000 people.
The Sotheby’s said Jordan’s rookie season jerseys are “unicorns” and are rarely seen in the market.
Jordan averaged 28.2 points per game in that rookie season, earning him Rookie of the Year honor. He won six NBA championships and solidified his name as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Sotheby’s hopes the iconic jersey will win around $10 million.
The second lot offers the first jerseys for the Los Angeles Lakers and Bryant, for rookie reasons from 1996-97. The Sotheby’s said the unusual jersey was worn during Bryant’s first preseason and regular season games.
Bryant joined the NBA at just 18 years old, winning five NBA championships and two Final MVP awards. He died in a tragic helicopter crash in 2020.
Bryant’s jerseys are also expected to be sold in the $10 million range.
Sotheby’s says they’ve seen rookie memorabilias have recently seen a growing demand among customers. In October 2023, the San Antonio Spurs jersey, covered in Victor Wenbanyama’s game, sold for $762,000, and in August 2022 the 1952 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card sold for $12.6 million.
“Early rookie jerseys represent the origins of athletes’ careers. For collectors looking for one true treasure, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own iconic pieces in basketball history,” Wachter said.
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