This is an updated version of a previous story that several media sites ran:

The auction of a 2000 NBA championship ring originally gifted by Kobe Bryant to his father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, has ignited controversy and shone a spotlight on the complex relationship within the Bryant family. The ring’s auction was announced by Goldin Auctions earlier this month, with initial bids starting at $33,000. The price has since escalated to $141,000, with the auction set to close on March 30, 2024.

Joe Bryant, a former professional basketball player himself, initially received the ring as a gesture of triumph and familial pride from his son, Kobe, following the Los Angeles Lakers’ championship win. However, Joe sold the ring in 2013, and it is now the current owner who has placed the item up for auction.

Misleading descriptions on the Goldin Auctions website have contributed to confusion and distress. The site claims the ring was “obtained directly from the Bryant family,” a statement that suggests direct involvement of Kobe’s parents in the current sale. This has been refuted by Joe and Pamela Bryant, who released a statement expressing their disconnection from the auction and the pain it has resurfaced. “We want to make it unequivocally clear that we have no involvement in this sale of our son’s 2000 championship ring,” the Bryants emphasized, seeking privacy and peace during this challenging time.

Goldin Auctions CEO, Ken Goldin, has clarified via X (formerly Twitter) that the ring being auctioned was indeed sold by Joe Bryant in 2013 and that the current seller is not a member of the Bryant family. The auction house itself is familiar to the Bryant family, having facilitated the sale of this very ring and other Kobe-related items 11 years prior.

The auction of Kobe Bryant’s memorabilia, particularly the championship rings, has been a point of contention in the past. In 2013, Kobe discovered his parents’ plans to auction off his memorabilia, including the championship rings, without his permission. This discovery led to a public and legal dispute that was eventually settled, allowing only six items to be auctioned. The incident highlighted the strained relationship between Kobe and his parents, exacerbated by disagreements over his marriage to Vanessa Laine and subsequent lifestyle choices.

Kobe Bryant’s relationship with his parents was complex, marked by periods of estrangement and attempts at reconciliation. Growing up in Italy and the United States, Kobe shared a close bond with his family, but tensions arose as he entered adulthood and made choices independent of their wishes. Despite these challenges, the family occasionally showed signs of unity, such as their appearance at Kobe’s high school jersey retirement ceremony.

The current auction has reopened discussions about the Bryant family dynamics, illustrating the ongoing impact of Kobe’s legacy beyond his death. The championship ring, featuring 40 diamonds and engraved with “Lakers,” “Bryant,” “World Champions,” and “Bling Bling,” symbolizes Kobe’s achievements on the court and the complex narratives off it.

As the auction draws to a close, the focus remains on the legacy of Kobe Bryant, the value of memorabilia in capturing sports history, and the personal stories that intertwine with public figures’ careers. The Bryant family’s statement and the auction house’s clarifications have provided some context to the ongoing saga, highlighting the importance of privacy, respect, and understanding in navigating the legacy of a sports icon.

Original story before update:

The sale of Joe “Jellybean” Bryant’s 2000 NBA championship ring, a personal memento from his deceased son, Kobe Bryant, has sparked renewed discussions about family relationships, financial circumstances, and the enduring influence of one of basketball’s most revered stars. 

The ring, a 14-karat gold piece adorned with 40 diamonds and engraved with the terms “Lakers,” “Bryant,” “World Champions,” and “Bling Bling,” is more than mere sports memorabilia. It symbolizes Kobe’s initial NBA championship triumph with the Los Angeles Lakers and is a testament to a father-son bond that has experienced both public scrutiny and upheaval.

Goldin Auctions launched the auction on March 9, 2024, with an opening bid of $33,000, eliciting a range of responses from fans and observers. The auction highlights the intricate dynamics of the Bryant family. As of now, the bid is at $141,000, significantly less than the $206,000 garnered by a comparable ring sold by Pamela Bryant in 2019, but nonetheless a substantial amount. The bidding ends on March 30.

The choice by Joe and Pamela Bryant to auction such a cherished object has led to speculation about their motivations. Questions are being raised about whether financial hardship is a factor, or if this is an effort to reestablish a connection with Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, in the midst of continuing family tensions. The Bryants have remained silent about the auction, leading to further speculation.

Kobe Bryant’s relationship with his parents was known to be strained, a fact that has been widely reported over the years. Kobe met Vanessa Laine when he was only 20, and their union led to changes in family dynamics. The absence of Kobe’s parents at their 2001 wedding in Dana Point, California, signaled the onset of a series of public disagreements that peaked with a 2013 lawsuit over the sale of Kobe’s memorabilia.

The lawsuit, which involved the intended sale of two of Kobe’s 2000 championship rings and other private items, settled out of court, permitting just six items to be sold. The Bryants publicly apologized, expressing regret for the distress caused to their son. However, this failed to mend the family divide, with Kobe later referring to his relationship with his parents as “s—.”

Kobe Bryant had a 20-year tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers and is widely regarded as one of basketball’s most legendary players. His distinguished career saw him win five NBA championships, appear in 18 All-Star Games, be selected for the All-NBA Team 15 times, make the All-Defensive Team 12 times, win the NBA MVP award in 2008, and receive the NBA Finals MVP award twice. 

He led the NBA in scoring twice and currently ranks fourth in all-time scoring for both the regular season and playoffs. He was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 and was honored on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.

Joe Bryant, Kobe’s father, played in the NBA from 1975-1983 for the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets. He also played for various teams in Italy and a team in France in addition to his NBA career. He was the head coach of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks from 2005 to 2007 and returned to the role during the latter part of the 2011 WNBA season. His coaching career also spans internationally, having coached teams in Italy, Japan, and Thailand.

The untimely death of Kobe in a helicopter crash in January 2020, which also claimed the lives of his daughter Gianna and seven others, refocused attention on his legacy and the importance of safeguarding his memory. This recent auction, therefore, raises questions about the balance between preserving a legacy and the personal needs or desires of those left behind.