Next month, the prestigious auction house Sotheby’s is set to host a thrilling event for sports enthusiasts and collectors alike: “Sports Week.” This unique showcase will unveil a series of auctions in New York, unveiling a treasure trove of memorabilia linked to some of modern sports’ most iconic figures and memorable moments. The lineup includes items associated with legendary athletes such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Muhammad Ali, Wayne Gretzky, Tom Brady, and Steph Curry, promising an unforgettable journey through sports history.
The upcoming “Sports Week” will comprise six live and online auctions, each with its own special theme. Among them are the Los Angeles Lakers | Capsule Collection, exploring the team’s rich history from March 27 to April 10, and The Thrilla in Manila, highlighting Muhammad Ali’s historic fight against Joe Frazier during the same period. The ZENITH auction will present a collection of important sports artifacts running from March 27 to April 10, while Court Classics will feature significant basketball sneakers from March 29 to April 12. The NBA Auctions for the 2024 All-Star Game will offer both online (March 28-April 15) and live (April 11 at 7 PM ET) opportunities to acquire exclusive memorabilia.
Sotheby’s has noticed a growing fascination with rare sports artifacts, with collectors showing a keen interest in acquiring significant pieces of sporting history. One of the standout lots in the upcoming auctions is a pair of autographed shoes worn by Michael Jordan during Game 5 of the 1996 NBA Finals. These shoes, given by Jordan to two former Seattle Supersonics ball boys, are expected to fetch an impressive sum between $200,000 and $400,000.
Another highly anticipated item is Muhammad Ali’s boxing trunks from the historic 1975 ‘Thrilla in Manila’ fight against Joe Frazier. Previously sold for $118,500 in 2012, these trunks are now estimated to command an astonishing $4 to $6 million in a dedicated auction, showcasing the enduring legacy of the boxing legend.
The Los Angeles Lakers “Capsule Collection” promises to delight fans with memorabilia such as Kobe Bryant’s Game 1 jersey from the 2009 Finals, valued at $1.5 to $2.5 million, and a Lebron James jersey from his remarkable 38,000th point game, estimated to sell for $300,000 to $500,000. Moreover, a portion of the proceeds from select Lakers auction items will be donated to the Lakers Youth Foundation, underscoring the charitable aspect of the event.
In the “Zenith” auction, attendees can look forward to coveted items like Michael 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. These items serve as cherished relics of sports history, offering enthusiasts a chance to own a piece of sporting greatness.
The NBA Auctions for the 2024 All-Star Game will present a range of memorabilia from the event, including jerseys worn by basketball luminaries like LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, Steph Curry, and Sabrina Ionescu. These exclusive items provide fans with a unique opportunity to acquire mementos from a prestigious sporting occasion, adding to the allure of the “Sports Week” auctions.
As Sotheby’s prepares to host this exciting series of sports auctions, anticipation is mounting among collectors and fans eager to take part in this celebration of sporting excellence. With a diverse array of memorabilia on offer, ranging from historic jerseys to iconic sneakers, “Sports Week” promises to be a remarkable showcase of the enduring legacy of sports heroes and their unforgettable moments.
