Marking the latest piece of Kobe Bryant memorabilia to come to market in the wake of his 2020 death, Sotheby’s announced it would be selling his locker used in the Staples Center from the 2003-04 season to the 2015-16 season Monday morning with an estimate of $1 million to $1.5 million.
The auction house, which previously sold the most expensive Bryant jersey in history — from his 2007-08 MVP-season, photo-matched to 25 games, including one of the most iconic images of his career, when Bryant "popped his jersey" to celebrate during a playoff win over Denver — which sold for $5.8 million in February 2023, highlighted the locker’s importance with references to various moments such as celebrations after Bryant’s 81-point game and 2010 NBA Finals Game 7 victory.
“Kobe Bryant's locker at the Staples Center is more than just a piece of memorabilia; it's a sacred relic of his unparalleled journey,” Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectables, said. “This locker was Kobe's sanctuary amidst triumphs and challenges, a witness to the highs and lows of a storied career. Every achievement and hardship left its mark within these walls. Its appearance now at auction symbolizes a rare opportunity to own a unique piece of Kobe's legacy.”
The locker was rediscovered in 2018, after Bryant’s retirement, during renovations of the Staples Center when the entire locker room had been planned to be thrown out. A maintenance worker recognized the item and saved it, placing it in storage where it sat for years before selling to the current consignor, who already owned the nameplate from Bryant’s original locker.
This isn't first time an unorthodox piece of Bryant memorabilia comes to market with a high pre-sale estimate. A portion of hardwood upon which Bryan played his final game at the Staples Center was auctioned off by Heritage in 2020, selling for over $630,000.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.