The late great Kobe Bryant‘s parents have come under a lot of flak from basketball fans worldwide for auctioning his 2000 NBA Championship ring. Many could not believe that for a mere $100k Bryant’s parents would auction off their son’s first championship ring.
However, former All-Star Gilbert Arenas has come to the defense of Joe and Pamela Bryant, suggesting that they do not have any money. After Kobe Bryant‘s parents came under fire for selling his 2000 NBA Championship ring, Gilbert Arenas defended their action.
Here is what Gilbert Arenas had to say:
You can't be mad at the parents on this one. I'm sorry, you gotta understand. They broke. They got no money. You can't be mad because he's (Kobe Bryant's dad) selling the rings. He gots no money. The money wasn't left to them. They tryna eat. Gilbert Arenas said
Gilbert Arenas informed the fans bashing Joe and Pamela Bryant that Kobe did not leave any money for them, which is why, they are forced to sell the ring to raise funds.
Kobe Bryant and his parents have had a soured relationship, stemming from the 5-time NBA Champion‘s decision to marry Vanessa Bryant. Since then, things always looked grim. The late Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s will also did not provide any financial windfall to his parents. His wife and children were the beneficiaries of the entire wealth.
Gilbert Arenas doesn’t have a problem with Kobe’s parents selling his rings
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 20, 2024
"They broke. They got no money. You can't be mad because they're selling the rings. The money wasn't left to them. They tryna eat."
(h/t @NBABeyondCourt )
pic.twitter.com/BkVQRzvfvk
Arenas feels his parents are selling the ring to survive. Reports stated that Kobe Bryant’s net worth was $600 million at the time of his death. But his parents have none of it, except the 2000 championship ring which their son gave them. This happened to be before the entire family fallout took place in 2001.
Kobe Bryant’s father Joe Bryant is a former NBA player. He picked up his love for the game of basketball from his father. From the time he entered the league, his parents were at his side as he blossomed into a star. But that relationship went south when Bryant decided to marry Vanessa Laine. His parents were strongly against the marriage as she was not an African American.
The relations soured further in 2013 when the 2-time NBA Finals MVP filed a lawsuit against his mother for attempting to sell his memorabilia. Bryant’s gear fetches a lot of money on auction sites.
Consequently, an emotionally hurt Bryant cut off all ties with his parents. This is what led to Bryant excluding his parents from his will. The auction house will close the bidding on the 31st of March.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!