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The sky-high pricing follows a familiar pattern that tends to emerge after famous people die suddenly, according to Howard University marketing professor Denver D’Rozario, who specializes in research about the use of dead celebrities in marketing.
“Fans suddenly realize the person they love is not there anymore and they want to buy up things to be close to that person,” D’Rozario, told CNN Business. “Some people buy it for commemoration purposes because they assume it will increase in value as a collector’s item. It gives them a connection to the person they love.”
All three items were auctioned off by Darren Julien, CEO of Julien’s Auctions, which authenticates celebrity memorabilia before selling it.
Julien says he’s received a major influx of calls and emails from folks looking to sell him Kobe merchandise to auction off over the last few days. He is planning to sell a collection of verified Kobe items during his company’s annual Sports Legends auction in Beverly Hills, California, on May 1.
Julien also criticized the prices for Kobe merchandise currently being auctioned on eBay.
“It’s a little bit morbid to be marketing Kobe at this point and time,” Julien told CNN Business. “If you’re a business with a reputation, you have to be sensitive to the families. You’re always going to have those kinds of opportunistic people who go on eBay and put crazy prices on items that no one will ever pay.”
EBay did not immediately respond to requests for comment on how it verifies the authenticity of celebrity memorabilia sold on its site. The company confirmed via email on Wednesday that it monitors and conducts sweeps to remove items specifically referencing celebrities’ deaths or offering charity donations outside of verified eBay charity partners.
Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions, said it’s normal for mourning fans to obsess over mementos after a star they love has passed away.
“We’re all nostalgic,” he said. “Kobe died so tragically and he’s such a hero, such an icon, especially here in Los Angeles. There’s that raw feeling, that emotion because he’s gone. What do we have left? We have the basketballs, the shoes. That’s what we have left to cling to, to remember his legacy.”
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