Muhammad Ali’s Shorts Among $12m Auction Items In New York

Muhammad Ali’s shorts from the 1975 “Thrilla in Manila” and the jersey worn by Kobe Bryant in the 2009 NBA Finals are among a trove of incredible sports memorabilia going on sale in New York next month .
Iconic items from some of the biggest names in basketball, baseball, football, tennis and hockey, including Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Ernie Banks, Carlos Alcaraz and Wayne Gretzky, will be part of Sotheby’s Sports Week.

They are estimated to be worth between $500 million and $6 million each, with fans and collectors expected to pay more than $12 million.
The exhibition will run from April 5 to 11, with live sales and online auctions from March 27 to April 15.
Among the rare items up for sale are Ali’s shorts from his victory over Joe Frazier.

In the Philippines in October 1975, The Greatest won after 14 rounds in his third and final fight against Smokin’ Joe.

His white shorts are expected to fetch up to $6 million, making them one of the most valuable items from the boxer’s life and career ever to come up for auction.

Also on offer are LeBron James’ Lakers jersey from the game where he reached 38,000 NBA points (expected to sell for up to $500,000) and his 2024 NBA All-Star Game jersey ($300,000).

Bryant’s jersey from Game 1 of the 2009 Finals (up to $2.5 million) is up for grabs, alongside Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu’s jerseys from their historic 3-point challenge during All-Star Weekend.(up to $50,000).

MJ’s Air Jordan 11s from Game 5 of the 1996 NBA Finals (up to $400,000) will be sold as part of a collection of 50 sneakers worn by some of the greatest NBA players of all time. They include LeBron, James Harden, Bryant, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Yao Ming.

Also among the items on offer is the jersey worn by Chicago Cubs legend Banks when he hit his 500th career home run ($500,000).