Full Breakdown
Kobe Bryant’s Signed Air Jordan IIIs Fetch $500,000 at Auction
5/2/2026, 4:27:38 AM
Kobe’s Signed Air Jordan IIIs Fetch $500,000 at Auction
A pair of player-exclusive Air Jordan III sneakers, made for Kobe Bryant, signed by the athlete and worn during the 2002-03 NBA season, sold for $500,000 through Pharrell Williams’ auction house Joopiter. The size-14 shoes feature the Los Angeles Lakers’ white, purple and gold colorway and were identified by MeiGray as having been worn in two games in February 2003.
Evolution of Kobe’s Footwear Endorsements
Bryant entered the NBA wearing Adidas apparel. In 2002 he paid Adidas $8 million to end the contract early. Although Reebok reportedly offered $15 million per season, Bryant chose to wear multiple brands for the 2002-03 season. After the Lakers lost to the eventual champion Spurs in the Western Conference finals, Bryant signed a five-year, $40 million deal with Nike.
Principal Figures and Organizations
- Kobe Bryant – former Los Angeles Lakers guard, original owner of the shoes.
- Michael Jordan – former NBA player, one of three to achieve a nine-game 40-plus-point streak.
- Wilt Chamberlain – former NBA player, also recorded a nine-game 40-plus-point streak three times.
- Pharrell Williams – founder of the Joopiter auction house that sold the shoes.
- MeiGray – sneaker authentication service that photo-matched the shoes to specific games.
- Los Angeles Lakers – Bryant’s team; its colors appear on the sneakers.
- San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets – opponents in the two identified games.
Chronology of Relevant Events
- 2002 – Bryant pays $8 million to end his Adidas contract.
- Feb 6 – Feb 23 2003 – Bryant records a nine-game streak of scoring at least 40 points.
- Feb 14 2003 – Bryant scores 44 points, six rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks against the Spurs; shoes later linked to this game.
- Feb 18 2003 – In a double-overtime win over the Rockets, Bryant posts 52 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three blocks, including a dunk over rookie Yao Ming; shoes also linked to this game.
- May 2003 – Lakers lose to the Spurs in the Western Conference finals.
- Summer 2003 – Bryant signs a five-year, $40 million deal with Nike.
- Auction – Joopiter sells the signed Air Jordan IIIs for $500,000.
Sale Details and Performance Statistics
Sale price: $500,000. Shoe size: 14. Colorway: Lakers white, purple, gold. Only three players—Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Wilt Chamberlain (who achieved the nine-game 40-plus-point streak three times)—have recorded such a streak. Bryant’s February 2003 performances: 44 points vs. Spurs; 52 points vs. Rockets.
Market Implications of the Sale
The auction demonstrates the market demand for athlete-worn, signed footwear, as evidenced by the $500,000 sale price. The transaction illustrates the financial stakes of endorsement contracts, highlighting Bryant’s transition from Adidas to a Nike partnership. Both shoes bear Bryant’s signature and were worn during the nine-game 40-plus-point streak, a performance level achieved by only two other players. The rarity of the shoes—tied to a historic scoring streak—has resulted in a premium price.
