Sotheby’s Sports Week displays items from Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan

Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s is no stranger to making history. Now, for the first time ever, the famed auction house will host its inaugural Sports Week event, showcasing a collection from the world’s greatest athletes.

The series will begin on April 5 and include six in-person and online auctions in New York. The auctioneer has more than 350 pieces of sports memorabilia, which will be auctioned off by superstars such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Wayne Gretzky and Muhammad Ali. The auction items include everything from game-worn jerseys to iconic sneakers, with estimates ranging from $500 to $6 million.

Brahm Wachter, head of Sotheby’s modern art department, said: “The market for unique sporting artifacts has been growing as collectors continue to chase the best items, especially those that are ‘fresh to market’. Enjoy unprecedented growth.” Collection, in a press statement. “We’re excited to bring this passionate community a new series curated with a focus on the most memorable moments in sports history and a variety of game-worn collectibles from athletes past and present who were inspired by their sport. Significant impact.”

One of the highlights of Sports Week was a pair of shorts Ali wore during the Manila Nightmare circa 1975, a legendary fight between Ali and boxer Joe Frazier. The white satin trunks, signed by Ali and inscribed by his assistant Drew “Bundini” Brown, are expected to sell for $4 million to $6 million.

If you’re a basketball fan, the most coveted item at the auction is the Air Jordan 11 shoe worn by Jordan in the 1996 NBA Finals. The sneakers, which cost between $200,000 and $400,000, were given to two former Seattle SuperSonics ball boys. You’ll also have the opportunity to bid on the adidas Top Ten sneakers worn by Kobe Bryant during his rookie season and the Los Angeles Lakers jersey from Game 1 of the 2009 NBA Finals (est. $1.5 million to $2.5 million). The Lakers jersey James wore during his 38,000th-point game is also up for grabs (estimated at $500,000), as is his 2024 NBA All-Star jersey, which could sell for $300,000.

In addition, the jerseys worn by Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu in this year’s Three-Point Contest are also up for bid. Also included in the auction is a St. Louis Blues jersey worn by Wayne Gretzky during the 1995-1996 season (est. $400-$500,000), Ernie Banks’ 500th game Baseball jersey (est. $300 to $500,000), as well as Jordan’s jersey. Signed, game-worn “Shattered Backboard” jersey from 1985 (est. $500-700,000). The entire lot is expected to sell for more than $12 million.

Not bad for Sotheby’s’ inaugural Sports Week.

Click here to see more photos from Sotheby’s Sports Week sale.