In 2018, Crypto.com Arena, then known as Staples Center, the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, was being renovated. Luckily, someone had the presence of mind to preserve the locker once used by the late great Kobe Bryant for much of his career.
Just over a week ago, it was announced that the locker would be put up for auction by Sotheby’s. That piece of memorabilia has now reportedly been auctioned off for a huge sum of money.
Via ESPN:
“The home locker that the late Kobe Bryant used from 2003-04 to his final season in 2015-16 has sold for a record-setting $2.9 million, the auction house that brokered the sale said Friday,” wrote Dan Hajducky.
In fact, the amount of money it sold for set a record and ranks among the most expensive pieces of Bryant memorabilia.
“According to Sotheby’s, it’s the most valuable sports locker to ever sell at auction. It’s also the third-most expensive piece of Bryant memorabilia of all time, trailing just a game-used, autographed and photo-matched jersey from Bryant’s rookie season, which sold for $3.69 million in 2021, and a signed, game-used and photo-matched Bryant jersey from his lone MVP season in 2007-08, which sold for $5.6 million — the second-most valuable basketball jersey ever sold.”
Friday also happened to be the day a statue honoring Bryant’s relationship with his daughter Gianna was unveiled.
The elder and younger Bryant and seven others were killed in a tragic helicopter crash in January 2020.