Kobe Bryant Sues Mom Over Personal Memorabilia
Most parents ended getting into fights with their children at some point in their lives. But going to court over the right to make a bunch of money when you're already rich? Not so much.
Kobe Bryant is suing his mother over the rights to roughly 900 pieces of memorabilia related to the furture Hall of Famer's basketball career. Bryant's mother, Pamela Bryant, intends to sell the items through Goldin Auctions.
There are many highly valuable collectibles in the lot, including jerseys and trophies from Kobe's high school days as a player at Lower Merion High School. There is also a signed basketball from the Lakers' 2000 championship run, but not even that is likely to be the most expensive item at the auction.
"A team-issued championship ring is among the most treasured of all sports collectibles and the opportunity to own one from an active player as significant as Kobe Bryant is rare," company founder Ken Goldin said in an April 30 news release announcing the auction of the memorabilia.
Kobe is contending that his mother has no right to sell his personal items. He is suing his mother so that he may reclaim the memorabilia that he believes he earned.
"Mr. Bryant's personal property has ended up in the possession of someone who does not lawfully own it," said Bryant's lawyer Mark Campbell. "We look forward to resolving this legal matter through the legal system. There will be no comment at this time."
Pamela Bryant's corner is singing a very different tune. They claim that she has kept the items in an expensive, $1500 a month storage unit for years now, and that Kobe Bryant has never shown any signs of interest in these relics of his past until now.
"Kobe Bryant indicated to Pamela Bryant that the items belonged to her and that he had no interest in them," the auction house's attorneys wrote.
Pamela Bryant has already received $450,000 up front from the auction house and early estimates are that the memorabilia will sell for a total of at least $1.5 million, and in all likelihood quite a bit more. Mrs. Bryant reportedly has plans to buy a house in Las Vegas with the proceeds from the auction.