A piece of Los Angeles Lakers history just fetched a massive payday.
The game ball used during Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal first ever NBA championship win was sold in Sotheby's Winter Sports Classic auction, where the rare Spalding basketball found a new owner for a jaw-dropping price.
According to "TMZ," the basketball sold for $508,000, which is a new record for a championship-winning ball.
Kobe Bryant, Shaq Ball From First NBA Championship Sells for Record $508K | Click to read more 👇 https://t.co/JrJ8oVeq9T pic.twitter.com/LXBqLlQGX9
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) December 12, 2025
According to Southby's, the previous highest-sold ball was the Oklahoma City Thunder ball from Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. That ball went for $107,000.
It's no surprise that the Lakers game ball clinched such a high bid, given that it was used in Game 6 of the 2000 NBA Finals, where Bryant scored 26 points several years before he was tragically killed in a helicopter crash with his daughter Gianna Bryant, 13, in California.
The Kobe-Shaq partnership is widely regarded as one of the greatest duos in NBA history, dominating the league for years and winning three championships together.
The championship ball not only marked the end of a 11-season championship drought for the Los Angeles Lakers, it also helped write the core of a new dynasty under former coach Phil Jackson.
A rare complete set of Chicago Bulls championship rings were also sold in the auction
Several other impressive pieces of sports memorabilia were sold in the Winter Sports Classic auction, which ended on Thursday.
One item up for grabs was Michael Jordan's rookie season Chicago Bulls 1984-1985 autographed Nike Air sneakers.
Jordan wore the shoes on December 2, 1984 in his 19th career game.
Another item was a rare, complete set of Chicago Bulls Championship rings from 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998.
Also auctioned off was the Los Angeles Dodgers jersey worn by Shohei Ohtani during Jackie Robinson Day. Early estimates suggested that the jersey would sell for anywhere from $300,000 to $500,000.
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