Kobe Bryant’s retirement is a costly event, folks.
As the Black Mamba prepares to say goodbye, the Los Angeles Lakers and retailers are going all out ahead of his final home game, which falls on April 13.
Hot-ticket items include snakeskin jerseys and one ridiculously pricey hat, as explained by ESPN.com’s Darren Rovell:
The $38,024 hat, made by New Era, is made of lambskin and snakeskin, a reference to Bryant’s “Black Mamba” nickname, and contains 3.5 ounces of 18-karat gold in the shape of his number 24 on the cap’s front. Only eight have been made.
The car-priced hat isn’t the only item folks will want to know about.
Rovell took to Twitter to share some more items collectors will want to get their hands on as soon as possible:
Kobe’s Last Game Merchandise: Limited edition (248 made) “Snakeskin” swingman jersey in box ($824) pic.twitter.com/jrAqZo4Ap8
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 7, 2016
Kobe’s Last Game Merchandise: Lambskin Jacket w/Swarovski crystals, limited to 24 ($5,824) pic.twitter.com/jAIPXSqUKR
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 7, 2016
Kobe last game merchandise just hit Lakers official online store, including this liquid metal @neweracap for $72.48 pic.twitter.com/dHXt6Dxb2j
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 7, 2016
Other than what’s already available, Rovell shared how the Lakers and the retailers plan to release the special-edition items:
Some items will be available for purchase at the Los Angeles Lakers’ online store beginning at 8:24 a.m. PT Thursday. Other items will first be available at the Lakers store at the Staples Center on April 13, the night of Bryant’s final game, against the Utah Jazz.
Don’t think this stuff won’t sell, either—Bryant’s final game might attract the wealthiest crowd in NBA history (is there a way to measure such a thing?) with ticket prices on online retailers hovering around the $700 mark.
A once-in-a-lifetime talent, folks had to know this sort of spectacle at the finish line was in the works. Start saving that spare change ahead of next week.