Kobe Bryant, auction house reach settlement in memorabilia case

A New Jersey auction house will go ahead and sell memorabilia from early in Kobe Bryant’s career, with some of the proceeds going to charity, according to a settlement reached between the Lakers star and Goldin Auctions.

“Goldin Auctions and Kobe Bryant have reached an amicable resolution,” Ken Goldin, founder of Goldin Auctions, said in a statement. “Goldin Auctions thanks Kobe Bryant for his assistance in resolving this matter.”

Goldin Auctions had sued in federal court last month after Bryant’s lawyers demanded that the auction house not sell the jerseys and other items from early in his career. Bryant contended that his mother, Pamela, was not authorized to sell memorabilia that had fetched a $450,000 advance that she intended to use to buy a house in Nevada.

The Bryant items that will be sold in the auction open from June 17 to July 19 include a pair of jerseys Bryant wore while playing for Lower Merion High in Ardmore, Pa.; an all-star medallion and ribbon he was given from the 1996 Magic Roundball Classic; his 2000 NBA All-Star Game ring; and two 2000 NBA championship rings that Bryant had given to his parents.

According to terms of the settlement, 50% of the proceeds from the sale of the above items except the championship rings will be donated to charity.

“We regret our actions and statements related to the Kobe Bryant auction memorabilia,” Joseph and Pamela Bryant said in a statement. “We apologize for any misunderstanding and unintended pain we may have caused our son and appreciate the financial support that he has provided to us over the years.”

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