A piece of NBA history just sold for what might be considered a bargain price (that is, if you're a multi-millionaire). LeBron and Bronny James' Opening Night jerseys – marking the first father-son duo in NBA history – went for $102,000 at Sotheby's auction, a figure that feels surprisingly modest given the item's historic significance.
The elder James' jersey saw action beyond just Opening Night (a 16-point performance in the Lakers' win over Minnesota), getting worn in two preseason games and on Media Day. Bronny's jersey comes with an interesting wrinkle – while Sotheby's attributes it to the second half of the Minnesota game, photo matching proved tricky since he stayed in his warmups. What we do know is that he wore it during Media Day and at several preseason appearances.
The historical moment that these jerseys represent transcends typical sports memorabilia. Here's LeBron, defying Father Time at 39, sharing an NBA court with his son – something that seemed impossible when he entered the league two decades ago. For Bronny, it marked a triumphant return to basketball just a year after cardiac arrest threatened to derail his dreams entirely.
Looking at recent sports memorabilia sales, the $102,000 price tag feels like a potential steal (again, assuming you're a multi-millionaire). These aren't just game-worn jerseys; they're artifacts from an unprecedented moment in NBA history. The fact that LeBron's career is winding down should only add to their value.
Related: Bronny James Puts Up Impressive Numbers for the First Time
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This story was originally published December 9, 2024, 12:33 PM.