Kobe Bryant’s parents are the objects of public scorn once again for auctioning off memorabilia from their late legendary son.
This time, however, the personal item is a championship ring the Los Angeles Lakers icon gifted his father, former NBA star Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, from the Lakers’ title win in 2000.
As hardcore NBA fans know, Jellybean Bryant played in the NBA from 1975 to 1983 before taking his skills to the Italian league, where his children, including Kobe Bryant, were mostly raised.
According to Goldin Auctions, the 14k gold ring is “11 ½ and weighs approximately 59.6 grams. The ring also features a total of 40 diamonds, including five larger round diamonds on either side of the face that display ‘Lakers’ filled with purple enamel.”
One of Kobe’s championship rings is currently up for auction 😯
(Via @TheSiteSupply ) pic.twitter.com/G11Zs14Tr7
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 17, 2024
As of Monday afternoon, March 17, the current bid stands at $94,000. The ring features the words “world champions” inscribed in relief lettering with the NBA logo centers on one side, the name “Bryant” at the top, and the number 8 at the bottom.
“The ring is a true one-of-a-kind, and we can confirm that it is the only championship ring ever given by Kobe to his father,” the website stated.
Fans note that the future owner of the coveted ring will include the Letter of Authorization from Kobe Bryant’s mother, Pam Bryant.
Many fans are enraged the parents are selling the ring
Most sports fans remember that Bryant’s already contentious relationship with his parents was exacerbated when they tried to auction off their son’s memorabilia without his knowledge in 2013.
The man who was nicknamed the “Black Mamba” (referencing to the venomous snake) told his followers in deleted tweets that he was “crushed” to the core that his parents would go behind his back in that manner.
“When u give Give GIVE and they take Take TAKE at wat point do u draw a line in the sand?” Kobe tweeted, according to the Los Angeles Times, with the hashtags “hurt beyond measure,” “gave me no warning,” and finally, “love?”
The parents repented in a statement to ESPN at the time that read: “We regret our actions and statements related to the Kobe Bryant auction memorabilia,” said Joe and Pamela Bryant. “We apologize for any misunderstanding and unintended pain we have caused our son and appreciate the financial support he has provided over the years.”
After Bryant retired, he was reportedly in the process of reconciling with his estranged parents before he and his daughter, Gigil, were killed in a helicopter crash in suburban Los Angeles in January 2020.
It is because of that previous auction episode in 2013 that this current ring auction in 2024 has fans triggered — despite the fact this current ring is owned by Joe Bryant.
Kobe would of never sold it. Wow sad
— hudson (@hudson_hch) March 17, 2024
Shame on his parents smh
— ZACK! (@I_Am_Zackk) March 17, 2024
The Kobe disrespect has to stop.
The fact that his dad sold it is just sad 😔
— Austin Green (@AMGMastermind) March 18, 2024
Some Kobe Bryant fans support the parents’ right to sell off the current ring
His parents are selling it, it’s their ring
— LAKERS OVER EVERYTHING (LOE) (@thee1LOE) March 17, 2024
He’s dead do you really think he would care about some damn ring?
— Goldy-RiSA 🐉☄️ RIP THE 🐐 (@GoldyRiSA) March 18, 2024
