Kobe Bryant's towel from 'Mamba out' farewell game speech sells at auction for $33K
The towel Kobe Bryant had draped over his shoulders during his on-court farewell speech and the tickets to his final game sold at a virtual auction for more than $30,000 on Sunday.
The items were part of Iconic Auctions’ March 2020 collection and pulled in 16 bids. The winner, an avid Los Angeles Lakers collector according to CNN, went home with the items at a price of $33,077.16. It’s nearly four times what the towel alone sold for at a 2016 auction.
Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash in California two months ago. Memorabilia from the five-time NBA champion has since hit auctions at high prices.
Bryant’s towel from 60-point farewell game
The towel is a Body Armor branded one that he had around his shoulders while addressing the crowd at Staples Center on April 13, 2016. He scored 60 points in the final game of his 20-year career and thanked the fans as well as his family in post-game remarks. He concluded with “Mamba out” and a kiss to the crowd.
The towel was pulled off his shoulders by a fan on his way off the court. It was sold in a 2016 auction for $8,365. The new owner contacted Iconic Auctions last month to resell it.
Avid Lakers collector buys Bryant memorabilia
David Kohler, founder of SCP Auctions, bought the collection at auction, per CNN. He is an avid Lakers collector known for having the largest and, he said, “most comprehensive” Lakers collection in the world.
In the Iconic Auctions February collection, Kohler purchased another Bryant piece.
The company sold a 1992 Bala Cynwyd (Penn.) Middle School yearbook with a note written by 13-year-old Bryant. Kohler paid nearly $30,000 for the yearbook, per CNN.
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