Pelé, Maradona, Kobe: Sotheby’s Is Auctioning Sports History
The jersey Kobe Bryant wore for Game 1 of the 2009 NBA Finals contains a specific history. It was his highest scoring performance in any finals game. Forty points. That piece of fabric is now at the Breuer in New York City as part of a two-week event from Sotheby's called Sports Week.
The collection moves beyond a single moment or sport. It includes the shirt Pelé wore when he scored two goals in the 1958 FIFA World Cup Final, securing Brazil’s first championship. There is also the captain's armband worn by Diego Maradona during the 1986 World Cup, a tournament defined by his 'Hand of God' and 'Goal of the Century' moments. Sports Memorabilia has become one of the auction house's fastest-growing categories.
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From Hanger to Frame
The handling of these items post-auction reflects their value. Experts recommend framing the most significant jerseys, preserving them for display. For other pieces, velvet hangers are suggested to keep the sleeveless, and sometimes slippery, material from falling. All authentication documents are meant to be kept with the item, solidifying its provenance for any future sale.
Some pieces carry the weight of an entire season. A New York Yankees jersey signed by Derek Jeter was worn during the 2004 regular season and postseason. It has been matched to 74 different games, including the one where he hit his 150th home run. Elsewhere in the collection is the earliest known photomatched shirt worn by Lionel Messi for FC Barcelona, from a 2006 match where he scored his 12th career goal.
