The previous record for an NBA title ring was for Bill Russell’s 1957 Boston Celtics title ring, which sold for $705,000 in 2021
A replica of Kobe Bryant’s 2000 Los Angeles Lakers NBA championship ring, which he once gave to his father Joe Bryant, has been sold at auction for $927,200.
It is the most-ever paid for an NBA championship ring, eclipsing the previous record of Bill Russell’s 1957 ring which sold at auction for $705,000 in 2021, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Forty-three bids were made on the ring, according to CBSSports.com. The name of the auction winner was not disclosed by Goldin Auctions.
The latest sale was the third time the ring has changed hands since Joe, 69, and his wife Pam sold the replica ring to Goldin for $173,000 in 2013, per the Times.
Kobe sued Goldin at the time, stating that he had not given his parents permission to sell the item, ESPN reported at the time.
The parties involved eventually settled, with Bryant’s parents writing in a statement that they “regret our actions and statements related to the Kobe Bryant auction memorabilia.” The ring, along with two of Kobe’s jerseys from his days at Lower Merion High School, remained sold to Goldin.
Kobe’s relationship with his parents was notably rocky, with their communication fracturing as early as 2001, when they did not attend his wedding to Vanessa Bryant in April that year.
In a statement to the Times, the Bryants said that they were not involved in the latest auction of the ring. PEOPLE previously confirmed that his parents also would not profit from the auction.
“We want to make it unequivocally clear that we have no involvement in this sale of our son’s 2000 championship ring,” they said in a statement. “The mere existence of the auction has reopened a deep, painful wound.”
The statement continued, “We seek peace, and the opportunity to grieve with dignity. We appreciate your understanding and respect for our family’s privacy at this time. Thank you, and may God bless you.”
The 14-carat gold ring features 40 diamonds and features the Lakers’ logo and the words “WORLD CHAMPIONS.”
The Lakers won the 2000 NBA title in a six-game series over the Indiana Pacers, after posting a 67-15 regular season record. Bryant averaged 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists during that season.
