Sotheby’s, the prestigious auction house renowned for curating and selling fine art and collectibles, is now venturing into the world of sports memorabilia with their upcoming event titled “Sports Week.” This highly anticipated series of auctions will celebrate the accomplishments and legacies of iconic athletes from various sports disciplines, offering enthusiasts an opportunity to own a piece of sports history.
Scheduled to kick off in New York, “Sports Week” by Sotheby’s will encompass a total of six live and online auctions, each focusing on different themes and collections associated with modern sports legends. Among the legendary athletes whose memorabilia will be featured are basketball greats Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, hockey icon Wayne Gretzky, football star Tom Brady, and basketball phenomenon Steph Curry, to name a few.
One of the key highlights of “Sports Week” is the diverse range of themed auctions that are set to take place:
1. Los Angeles Lakers | Capsule Collection: This collection, running from March 27 to April 10, will showcase exclusive items related to the Los Angeles Lakers, including jerseys and memorabilia from star players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
2. The Thrilla in Manila: A special auction dedicated to the historic boxing bout between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975, featuring Ali’s iconic boxing trunks worn during the legendary fight.
3. ZENITH | Important Sports Artifacts: This auction will present a curated selection of significant sports artifacts, including Michael Jordan’s ‘Shattered Backboard’ jersey from 1985, Ernie Banks’ 500th home run jersey, and Wayne Gretzky’s St. Louis Blues jersey.
4. Court Classics | Important Basketball Sneakers: A collection of rare and iconic basketball sneakers that have left a mark on the history of the sport, available for bidding from March 29 to April 12.
5. NBA Auctions: 2024 All-Star Game | Online & Live: Featuring memorabilia from the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, including jerseys worn by superstars like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Sabrina Ionescu during the event.
The surge in demand for unique sports artifacts among collectors has been evident, with items associated with renowned athletes attracting significant attention and high bids. For instance, Michael Jordan’s autographed shoes from Game 5 of the 1996 NBA Finals, coming from two former Seattle Supersonics ball boys, are projected to fetch between $200,000 and $400,000 as a rare pair.
Notable among the lots is Muhammad Ali’s boxing trunks from the historic ‘Thrilla in Manila’ fight, which sold for $118,500 in 2012 and are now estimated to command a staggering $4 to $6 million in an upcoming auction dedicated to the legendary boxer.
The Los Angeles Lakers “Capsule Collection” will offer fans a chance to own prized possessions such as Kobe Bryant’s Game 1 jersey from the 2009 Finals, estimated at $1.5 to $2.5 million, and a Lebron James jersey commemorating his 38,000th point game, with an estimate ranging from $300,000 to $500,000. Proceeds from select items in this collection will go towards supporting the Lakers Youth Foundation.
With an impressive array of sports memorabilia up for grabs, “Sports Week” by Sotheby’s promises to be an exciting event for sports enthusiasts and collectors alike, bringing together a treasure trove of artifacts linked to the feats and triumphs of some of the most influential figures in the sporting world.
