With Los Angeles Lakers basketball superstar Kobe Bryant coming closer to his final game, fans who want to remember him can now purchase special commemorative merchandise.
AEG Merchandise unveiled the “24 Collection,” an exclusive line of 45 apparel items on Lakersstore.com, all in the name of Bryant. The Lakers player will be ending a storied 20-year NBA career—which includes five championships and two Olympic gold medals—on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz. The “24” in the collection references Bryant’s jersey number.
The most expensive item, by far, is a limited edition 18-karat gold-plated New Era cap bearing the “24” insignia. The cap is retailing for $38,248.08, and there are only eight total caps available for fans. And unfortunately, they’re already sold out.
There are other items: a purple cashmere, diamond cap for $24,008, and a snakeskin-textured jersey in honor of Kobe’s self-given nickname “The Black Mamba” that is selling for $824.80. There are also special jackets, medallions, T-shirts and lapel pins that are (slightly) more affordable.
If you’re looking to score tickets to Kobe’s final game at the Staples Center, be prepared to fork out your monthly salary. According to Yardbarker, courtside tickets are reaching as high as $32,000, and sideline seats are going for around $7,000. Even third-level seats—usually referred to as the “nosebleed” seats—are a little, well, insane:
So you want to see Kobe's last NBA game? 300 level. pic.twitter.com/1domlbN66t
— Beto Durán ⭕️ (@DuranSports) April 7, 2016
So you want to see Kobe's last NBA game? 300 level. pic.twitter.com/1domlbN66t
— Beto Durán ⭕️ (@DuranSports) April 7, 2016
Bryant announced his retirement last November, and has also maintained he would not be joining Team USA at the Rio Olympics.