Kobe Bryant's Father Puts Up NBA Championship Ring Gifted by Late Son for Auction

Kobe Bryant s Father Is Auctioning the Championship Ring the Late Basketball Player Gifted Him 367

Kobe Bryant. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe Bryant, is selling the championship ring that his son gave to him.

The ring, made of 14-karat gold with 40 diamonds, was put up for auction on March 8 on the Goldin website. It has "Lakers" and "World Champions" engraved on top, along with the words "Bling Bling" and Kobe’s name on the side.

The piece of jewelry is a special token Kobe gave his father after winning his first championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. It is an exact replica of Kobe's championship ring, and it is the only ring Joe received from his son. The ring comes directly from the Bryant family and has a letter of authenticity from Kobe’s mother, Pam Bryant.

The bidding for the ring started at $30,000 and has now reached $141,000. The auction will continue until March 30.

This isn’t the first time Kobe’s parents have tried to sell his ring and other memorabilia. Back in 2013, they attempted to sell some of Kobe’s items without his permission. Kobe then took legal action against his parents and the auction company. The case was resolved, and Kobe’s parents eventually apologized.

In a statement to ESPN, Kobe’s parents expressed regret for their actions and words regarding the auction of Kobe Bryant memorabilia. They apologized for any misunderstandings and unintended hurt caused to their son. They also acknowledged the financial support Kobe had provided over the years. Additionally, they apologized to Goldin Auctions for being unintentionally involved in the situation and thanked them for their help.

Three years after Kobe's tragic death at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash with his daughter Gianna and seven friends, the decision has been made to sell the ring. Kobe is survived by his wife Vanessa Bryant and their daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.

Earlier this year, Kobe was commemorated with a statue at the Lakers' home stadium. As a cherished member of the team, Kobe achieved five championships during his career. Vanessa, along with her daughters, was present for the unveiling of the statue.

Today is a very sad day for us because Kobe and Gigi are not here with us for this joyful moment and to honor Kobe's legacy," Vanessa expressed to the crowd. She acknowledged the many people worldwide who have supported Kobe from the start, emphasizing that this moment is not just for Kobe, but for all the fans who have been cheering him on throughout the years.

Editor's P/S:

The sale of Kobe Bryant's championship ring by his father, Joe Bryant, is a bittersweet reminder of the loss of a beloved sports icon. While it is understandable that his parents may seek financial gain from selling such a valuable item, the timing of the auction, just three years after Kobe's tragic death, raises questions about their motives. It is important to remember that Kobe was a generous and supportive son, and any proceeds from the sale of his belongings should ultimately benefit his family.

Furthermore, the article highlights the complex relationship between Kobe and his parents. The previous attempt to sell his memorabilia without his consent and the subsequent legal action suggest a strained familial dynamic. It is unclear whether Joe Bryant has Kobe's blessing to sell the ring, and the auction could potentially create further tension within the family. Ultimately, the decision to sell the ring is a personal matter, but it raises questions about the ethics of profiting from the memory of a deceased loved one. and beyond.