Next month, the prestigious Sotheby’s auction house will be at the forefront of the sports memorabilia world as it hosts a series of events under the umbrella of “Sports Week.” The event is set to showcase an impressive array of iconic sports legends’ memorabilia, chronicling their standout achievements and legacy in the world of modern sports. Scheduled to take place in New York, this series of auctions will bring together collectors and enthusiasts alike to bid on items associated with top athletes such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Muhammad Ali, Wayne Gretzky, Tom Brady, and Steph Curry, among others.
The upcoming “Sports Week” will encompass a total of six live and online auctions, each with a distinct theme tailored to capture the essence of the athletes’ careers. Among the themed auctions are the Los Angeles Lakers Capsule Collection, The Thrilla in Manila, ZENITH Important Sports Artifacts, Court Classics Important Basketball Sneakers, NBA Auctions: 2024 All-Star Game Online, and NBA Auctions: 2024 All-Star Game Live.
There has been a noticeable surge in interest surrounding unique sports artifacts, with collectors showing great enthusiasm in acquiring rare and historically significant items. The highlight of the auctions includes Michael Jordan’s autographed shoes worn during Game 5 of the 1996 NBA Finals. It is anticipated that these iconic shoes, which were given as gifts to two former Seattle Supersonics ball boys, could fetch a staggering amount ranging between $200,000 and $400,000.
Another standout piece is Muhammad Ali’s boxing trunks from the famed 1975 ‘Thrilla in Manila’ bout against Joe Frazier. Originally sold for $118,500 in 2012, these historical trunks are now estimated to draw bids between $4 million 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, projected to be valued between $1.5 million and $2.5 million. Additionally, a jersey from Lebron James’ memorable 38,000th point game is expected to fetch between $300,000 and $500,000. Proceeds from select items in the Lakers auction will be directed towards the Lakers Youth Foundation, furthering community initiatives.
The “Zenith” auction promises to captivate bidders with unique items like 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. These items are sure to draw significant interest from sports enthusiasts and collectors alike.
NBA Auctions will provide a platform for fans to acquire memorabilia from the 2024 All-Star Game, including jerseys donned by basketball luminaries like LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, Steph Curry, and Sabrina Ionescu during the prestigious event. This collection of memorabilia serves as a special keepsake for fans looking to own a piece of basketball history.
As the anticipation builds for Sotheby’s “Sports Week,” collectors and enthusiasts are gearing up to participate in the bidding wars for these prized sports artifacts. The event promises to be a captivating showcase of sports history, allowing attendees to connect with the legacies of their favorite athletes in a unique and memorable way.
