Kobe Bryant & Mother Lawsuit: Lakers Player and Pamela Bryant Fight Over Memorabilia
Kobe Bryant and his mother are involved in a legal battle over the rightful owner of his NBA memorabilia.
Pamela Bryant made a deal with Goldin Auctions to sell many items that used to belong to the LA Laker, according to a lawsuit filed on Thursday. She was given a $450,000 advance and was expected to make $1.3 million from the sale. Pamela said her intention was to buy a home in Nevada.
However, Kobe is blocking the sale by claiming he is the rightful owner of the memorabilia The issue surfaced when Goldin Auctions filed suit to allow the sale to proceed without Kobe's consent. Kobe's lawyer, Mark Campbell of Loeb & Loeb L.L.P, issued a statement saying, "Mr. Bryant's personal property has ended up in the possession of someone who does not lawfully own it."
"We look forward to resolving this legal matter through the legal system. There will be no further comment at this time," Campbell added.
Goldin Auctions has asked the courts to declare Pamela the owner of the items after receiving a cease and desist letter from Kobe's camp.
"Pamela Bryant indicated to Ken Goldin that Kobe Bryant has never demanded the return of any of the items, nor were they in any way taken from [him] without his permission," Goldin Auctions said in its suit.
Kobe has a complicated relationship with his parents. They did not speak for many years after he married Vanessa Bryant in 2001 because they did not approve of their son marrying at 21 and without a pre-nup.
Some of the items said to be auctioned off include an All-Star game signed basketball, game and practice jerseys from his days at Lower Merion High School, a Lakers jacket and shorts, trophies and his varsity high school letters.
Ken Goldin, founder of Goldin Auctions, said in a press release on April 30 that he welcomed the opportunity to be able to share mementoes of Kobe's past. He felt that sports fans would appreciate the gesture.
"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," he said. "Normally, items like these can only be viewed in a museum or the Hall of Fame. We are honored to be able to make these offerings to collectors around the world."
