NBA superstar Kobe Bryant won’t go to court to get back memorabilia that his mother gave to an auction house to sell claiming her son didn't want them anymore.
Goldin Auctions sued in federal court last month after Bryant's lawyers wrote the company telling it to cancel the planned June auction. The Los Angeles Lakers star claimed his mother, Pamela, didn't have the right to sell the items.
Bryant, who went to high school at Lower Merion in Montgomery County, reached an agreement with his mother and father, Pamela and Joe Bryant, as well as South Jersey-based Goldin Auctions that gives many items back over to Bryant while still allowing the auction house to sell a handful of items, ESPN Los Angeles first reported.
Bryant’s parents also apologized. His mother Pamela had received a $450,000 advance when she gave dozens of her son’s items supposedly left in a storage unit over to Goldin Auctions.
"We regret our actions and statements related to the Kobe Bryant auction memorabilia," said Joe and Pamela Bryant a statement provided to ESPN by a publicist. "We apologize for any misunderstanding and unintended pain we have caused our son and appreciate the financial support he has provided over the years. We also apologize to Goldin Auctions for their inadvertent involvement in this matter and thank them for their assistance."
Bryant has had a sometimes icy relationship with his mother and father, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, a former pro basketball player who is now coaching in Thailand.
The settlement means that the Bryants won’t be heading to federal court and that many mementos will not be sold.
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According to court filings, Pamela Bryant struck a deal in January with Goldin Auctions in Berlin, N.J. to sell a slew of items including the NBA star's jerseys, practice gear and sweatsuits from Lower Merion High School; varsity letters; a trophy for being the outstanding player at the 1995 Adidas ABCD basketball camp; a Teen Choice Award; and a signed basketball from the 2000 NBA championship game.
Auction house president Ken Goldin still believes they can get about $500,000 for the handful of items, including Bryant’s high school uniform and two rings gifted to Bryants parents after the Lakers won the 2000 NBA championship, still to be sold as part of the Bryant Collection, reported ESPN.
Half the winning bid for some items including Bryant’s 2000 All-Star ring will go to charity.
Bidding begins June 17 and runs for a about a month.
