Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was forced to sue auction house Goldin Auctions May 2013 to halt the sale of more than 100 of his memorabilia items. Bryant’s mother, Pamela, signed a consignment agreement with Goldin Auctions in New Jersey to auction items worth over $1 million.
The items were collected from the basketball star’s entire career including NBA championship rings and high school varsity letters. Pamela Bryant received $450,000 advance payment, which she reportedly used to purchase a home in Nevada.
As the story and the pending trial grabbed media attention, Bryant insisted he was not suing his mother. That didn’t stop the lawsuit from causing a rift in the family. According to Forbes.com, at the trial Bryant’s father, Joe, sided with his mother’s story, while Bryant’s wife and sister insisted his mother did not have permission to sell the mementos. If Pamela Bryant lost the case, she would have been required to return the $450,000 advance.
In the midst of the trial Bryant tweeted: “When u give Give GIVE and they take Take TAKE at wat point do u draw a line in the sand? #hurtbeyondmeasure #gavemenowarning #love?”
In the end, Bryant removed over 90 percent of the items and only allowed the auction house to auction 6 items.
Joe and Pamela Bryant said in a statement after the settlement, “We regret our actions and statements related to the Kobe Bryant auction memorabilia. 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.”
