Kobe Bryant’s 2000 NBA Finals Ring Sold For Historic $927K At Auction

Kobe Bryant’s 2000 NBA Finals ring has been sold at an auction for a historic price. On Saturday (March 30), Goldin reported that the coveted ring bling was auctioned off for $927,000.

“A 2000 Lakers Championship Players Ring, gifted by Kobe to his father Joe, has sold in our March Elite,” the collectibles marketplace typed in a statement. “This is the same ring originally consigned to Goldin by the Bryant Family in 2013, & the new owner (NOT Joe Bryant) is our consignor.”

Bleacher Report states that Bill Russell’s first title ring held the previous record. Russell won the ring in 1957, and the icon’s ring was auctioned off for $705,000 in 2021. Kobe Bryant secured his ring at the turn of the new millennium. Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal led the Los Angeles Lakers to a championship win against the Indiana Pacers.

In late March, it was found that the ring was put up for auction on Goldin. The item was listed as “2000 Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers NBA Championship Ring 14K-40 Diamonds—Laker Issued Player Ring Gifted by Kobe to Joe Bryant—Pam Bryant LOA.” At the time, the leading bid was $141,000, and the beginning bid for the legendary memorabilia was $30,000.

After winning the NBA Finals, the NBA All-Star commissioned the bling for his parents as a gift. Sports Illustrated reports that Bryant’s parents first considered selling their son’s replica ring and other memorabilia in 2013. The move infamously rubbed Kobe the wrong way, leading to a deepening rift between Bryant and his parents. When Kobe learned that his parents were selling his items through Goldin, he filed a lawsuit.

ESPN reported that the suit was eventually settled that same year. The settlement came with a deal, allowing only 10 percent of Bryant’s items to be sold on the marketplace, with the ring being one of the items. His parents then offered a statement to the sports outlet apologizing for attempting to sell all of his items.

“We regret our actions and statements related to the Kobe Bryant auction memorabilia,” Joe and Pamela Bryant said. “We apologize for any misunderstanding and unintended pain we have caused our son and appreciate the financial support he has provided over the years. We also apologize to Goldin Auctions for their inadvertent involvement in this matter and thank them for their assistance.”

Cam’ron and Ma$e previously theorized why Kobe Bryant’s parents were auctioning off his Championship ring. During a March episode of Is What It Is, the Harlemites explained how the late icon‘s soured relationship with his parents was a significant catalyst.

“History has shown a little bit that Kobe and his parents weren’t on the best of terms, because of their relationship,” Ma$e elucidated. “I think that could play a part into why they selling the ring. Your family can sometimes do you the worst; it could be worse than what you get in the street.”

Cam echoed his co-host’s presumptions. He explained that the acclaimed basketball player’s strained relationship with his mom and dad could be the most obvious reason. Cam then documented how Vanessa stayed committed to Kobe despite his alleged infidelity.

“Like Mo said, everybody knows Kobe wasn’t f**king with his parents because his parents weren’t f**king with Vanessa,” Cam expressed. “He met Vanessa at a young age. They told him, ‘You bugging out, you don’t need to get with this girl. You’re gonna meet 100 girls.’ He went against his parents, ended up meeting Vanessa, ended up being his wife.

“[She] never got caught cheating. Kobe got caught cheating, and she didn’t leave,” he added. “She coulda [gotten] divorced and got half of it, but she stuck with him.”

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