Next month, Sotheby’s will launch an exciting series of sports auctions titled “Sports Week,” aimed at showcasing an impressive array of memorabilia associated with modern sports legends and their iconic achievements. Scheduled to take place in New York, this much-anticipated series will encompass six live and online auctions, highlighting remarkable items linked to the illustrious careers of iconic athletes such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Muhammad Ali, Wayne Gretzky, Tom Brady, and Steph Curry, among others.
Dubbed “Sports Week”, the auctions will cover a range of themed events, including the Los Angeles Lakers’ Capsule Collection, The Thrilla in Manila, ZENITH’s Important Sports Artifacts, Court Classics featuring Important Basketball Sneakers, and NBA Auctions for the 2024 All-Star Game both online and live. The event will be a sports memorabilia enthusiast’s dream come true.
Sotheby’s has observed a significant rise in interest for unique sports artifacts, with avid collectors eagerly seeking rare and historically significant items. A standout lot is Michael Jordan’s autographed shoes from Game 5 of the 1996 NBA Finals, anticipated to secure between $200,000 and $400,000. These prized shoes originate from two former Seattle Supersonics ball boys who each received one shoe from Jordan and now decided to offer them as a pair, making them a unique and coveted item for fans and collectors alike.
Another headline-making item is Muhammad Ali’s boxing trunks from the legendary 1975 ‘Thrilla in Manila’ fight against Joe Frazier. Previously sold for $118,500 in 2012, they are now estimated to fetch between $4 and $6 million in a dedicated auction, attesting to the enduring allure of Ali’s legacy and the historic significance of the fight.
Notable highlights from the Los Angeles Lakers “Capsule Collection” include Kobe Bryant’s Game 1 jersey from the 2009 Finals, with an estimated value of $1.5 to $2.5 million, and a Lebron James jersey from his historic 38,000th point game, expected to fetch between $300,000 to $500,000. A portion of the proceeds from selected items in the Lakers auction will go towards supporting the Lakers Youth Foundation, adding a charitable aspect to the event.
The “Zenith” auction will feature a range of significant items, such as 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, providing collectors with a diverse selection of coveted sports artifacts to choose from.
NBA Auctions will offer memorabilia from the 2024 All-Star Game, including jerseys worn by basketball luminaries like LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, Steph Curry, and Sabrina Ionescu during the event’s festivities, making it a must-visit for passionate basketball fans and collectors alike.
So, mark your calendars and get ready to bid on these extraordinary pieces of sports history at Sotheby’s “Sports Week” auctions for a chance to own a piece of sporting greatness.
