Kobe, Parents Settle Lawsuit Over Memoribilia Auction
For the first time in a long time, Kobe Bryant is speechless. Following the end of a court fight that spiraled into a bitter family feud, Kobe Bryant had no comment on the settlement of the legal battle between the NBA star and his parents.
The fight began when Bryant’s parents wanted to auction off jerseys, rings and trophies from Kobe’s high school and early NBA career. Ken Goldin, the man who runs the Commerce Lane auction house where Bryant’s parents were looking to auction off their son’s things, announced his auction plans on April 30. When Kobe found out about the auction, he sent a cease-and-desist letter to the firm, stating that his parents had no right to auction off his belongings.
During the family dispute, Kobe took to Twitter to express his opinion on the matter. “When you give Give GIVE and they take Take TAKE at wat point do u draw a line in the sand? #hurtbeyondmeasure #gavemenowarning #love?,” Kobe tweeted May 4.
Now that a settlement has been reached, Kobe’s parents apologized for the entire situation following the feud.
“We regret out actions and statements related to the Kobe Bryant auction memorabilia,” said Pamela and Joseph Bryant in their joint statement Monday. “We apologize for any misunderstanding and unintended pain we may have caused out son and appreciate the financial support that he has provided us over the years.”
Although the details of the settlement have not been released, about 10 percent of the original items up for auction (including two rings given to Bryant’s parents after the 2000 Lakers’ championship) will still be up for bidding.
The auction will start June 17 and close July 19. For all you Kobe fans out there, get your bids in soon!
