NBA
How much was Kobe Bryant’s first championship ring sold at an auction?
The first National Basketball Association championship ring won by the Los Angeles Lakers legend in 2000 was sold at an auction for just under $1 million.
The famous Lakers star, who died in a helicopter crash along with his daughter Gigi and seven others in January 2020, gave this ring to his father, who decided to sell it. This ring is from Bryant’s first championship win with the Lakers during his 20-year tenure with the franchise.
The ring is adorned with 40 diamonds and made of 14-karat gold. It features Bryant’s name, record from the regular season and playoffs, and the number 8 he wore in the first part of his career. Recently, the ring was sold at auction for a whopping $927,200 during the March Elite Auction conducted by Goldin Auctions. The buyer’s identity has not been disclosed.
This ring has now become the most expensive Bryant Award or memorabilia that has ever been publicly sold.
The previous record for the most expensive basketball ring was held by late Boston Celtics icon Bill Russell. His championship ring from his first NBA title in 1957 was sold for $705,000 in 2021.
The most expensive ring ever sold for any sport belonged to New York Yankees legend Babe Ruth. His 1927 title ring was sold for $2.1 million at an auction held by Lelands in 2017. Actor Charlie Sheen was the previous owner of Ruth’s ring.