Next month, Sotheby’s, the renowned auction house, is set to launch an exciting series of auctions titled “Sports Week,” dedicated to showcasing a wide array of memorabilia linked to modern sports icons and their historic accomplishments. With a backdrop in New York, this weeklong event will encompass six live and online auctions, spotlighting items associated with legendary figures like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Muhammad Ali, Wayne Gretzky, Tom Brady, and Steph Curry, among other sports luminaries.
The upcoming “Sports Week” will encompass a diverse range of themed auctions to cater to the interests of sports enthusiasts and collectors:
1. Los Angeles Lakers | Capsule Collection (March 27-April 10)
2. The Thrilla in Manila (March 27-April 10)
3. ZENITH | Important Sports Artifacts (March 27-April 10)
4. Court Classics | Important Basketball Sneakers (March 29-April 12)
5. NBA Auctions: 2024 All-Star Game | Online (March 28-April 15)
6. NBA Auctions: 2024 All-Star Game | Live (April 11 7PM ET)
Sotheby’s has noticed a growing fascination with unique sports memorabilia, as collectors eagerly seek out rare and significant items. Notable highlights from the auctions include Michael Jordan’s autographed shoes from Game 5 of the 1996 NBA Finals, which are anticipated to fetch an impressive sum ranging between $200,000 and $400,000. These shoes have a unique provenance, originating from two former Seattle Supersonics ball boys who each received a shoe from Jordan, and have now decided to offer them as a pair.
Another standout piece is Muhammad Ali’s boxing trunks from the historic 1975 ‘Thrilla in Manila’ fight against Joe Frazier. Previously sold for $118,500 in 2012, these trunks are now estimated to command a staggering price between $4 and $6 million in a dedicated auction.
The “Capsule Collection” from the Los Angeles Lakers will feature prized items such as Kobe Bryant’s Game 1 jersey from the 2009 Finals, with an estimated value of $1.5 to $2.5 million, along with a Lebron James jersey from his milestone 38,000th point game, valued at $300,000 to $500,000. A portion of the proceeds from specific Lakers auction items will go towards benefiting the Lakers Youth Foundation.
The “ZENITH” auction is set to display coveted pieces including Jordan’s ‘Shattered Backboard’ jersey from 1985, Ernie Banks’ 500th home run jersey, and a Wayne Gretzky St. Louis Blues jersey from the 1995-96 season, adding a touch of rich sports history to the collection.
NBA Auctions, on the other hand, will present memorabilia from the 2024 All-Star Game, featuring jerseys worn by prominent athletes like LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, Steph Curry, and Sabrina Ionescu during the event’s festivities.
In conclusion, Sotheby’s “Sports Week” auctions promise a thrilling opportunity for sports aficionados and collectors to acquire pieces of history associated with their beloved sports legends, encapsulating the essence of athletic greatness and triumph for generations to come.
