What recession? Kobe's game-worn Finals jersey goes for $35k
Apparently some memorabilia collectors are unaffected by the economic recession.
A game-used jersey worn by Kobe Bryant in Game 1 of the NBA Finals was auctioned off today for over $35,000.
The auction -- through a partnership between the NBA and MeiGray Group Game-Worn Jersey Authentication Program -- ended Thursday at 6:22 p.m. after being available on the league's auction site since June 4.
Bryant's jersey started at $1,000 and finished 32 bids later at $35,270.90. The minimum bid increment was $20.
Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu's jersey, worn only in the first half of Game 1, sold for $1,770.
The buyer, whose screen name on the site is "jtnbafan," purchased both jerseys.
Imagine how much more it would have gone for had the jerseys been signed.
A much more attainable item: Phil Jackson's X-cap worn after Game 5 in Orlando and during the championship parade Wednesday. The cap is on sale for $25 (plus shipping and handling). Proceeds go to benefit the American Indian College Fund.
--Mario Aguirre
It should be noted that the cap sold by Phil Jackson is not the parade worn hat, but a replica.
Posted by: Eric Sornoso | June 19, 2009 at 12:26 PM