Craving Kobe: Holding on to a hero
When Kobe Bryant met his tragic end on Jan. 26, 2020, the shock waves were instant and enormous. Hearts broke everywhere, and not only for Bryant but for the eight other victims—among them Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna and two of her hoop-league friends and their parents.
Whether you were a Lakers fan or not, the loss was stunning. It just couldn’t be true that this internationally known, supremely talented athlete was suddenly gone at age 41.
Because he retired only four years ago, and because his career highlights are so accessible in these tech-happy days, Kobe was fresh in our memory. For 20 illustrious seasons, he played pro basketball with energy, elegance and extreme resilience. After leaving the game at age 37, he settled into a life as a budding businessman, family man and loving father of four daughters.
THE MAD RUSH
If you’ve been around the sports collectibles hobby long enough, you know what happens when a beloved athlete dies: There’s a mad rush for that athlete’s memorabilia. Sellers—always driven by opportunity—are happy to oblige. And when the athlete lost is at Kobe Bryant’s level, the price-jacking becomes that much more pronounced. It’s morose, for sure, but it’s reality.
So it went with Kobe Bryant memorabilia as news of his death circulated that Sunday afternoon. The most instant barometer available was eBay. Consider:
