Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
As if the Los Angeles Lakers, didn’t have enough drama in the offseason, another story breaks out.
Kobe Bryant is having trouble again with a woman. And this time it’s his mother.
According to reports, Pamela Bryant intended to sell some of Bryant’s collectibles, including jerseys, a championship ring and other high-school memorabilia in a June auction.
Among the (42) prized collectibles are high school uniforms and shorts dating back to 1994, a Sonny Hill League Future Stars Champions Trophy from middle school, a signed basketball from the 2000 NBA Championship game and a pair of rings from the 2000 championship game and 1998 All-Star Game.
I remember when I moved out and my mother cleared out the old bedroom. She sold a few things at a garage sale and I believe she got about $15. I guess Kobe’s mom feels she has the right to do the same thing. Bryant, however, had other plans. His lawyer filed a cease-and-desist in order to stop the sale immediately.
According to Kennith Goldin, owner of the auction house, they may be too late. Reportedly, Pamela has already received $450,000 in exchange for the items and had plans to buy a new home in Nevada. Bryant offered to buy his parents a home, but they wanted a bigger one. The collectibles are reportedly worth over $1.5 million.
This isn’t the first time Bryant and his parents were caught up in controversy. Pamela and father Joe “Bellybean” Bryant, didn’t even attend their son’s wedding because–according to reports–they believed Bryant was too young and his wife wasn’t African American. They eventually came back in to the picture after the birth of the couple’s first child.
I think this is such a travesty. Why would Pamela attempt to auction off Kobe’s past? Bryant has given them millions over his 17-year career, but we all know the saying on how it’s just never good enough.
Eric N. Ellington covers the Los Angeles Lakers for Rant Sports. Follow him at @EricNEllington
