The news of Kobe Bryant’s death sent shockwaves through the sports world Sunday. Tributes poured in across the globe as friends, fellow athletes and fans mourned the NBA legend and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who were among nine killed in a California helicopter crash. But perhaps the greatest tribute is to come on Tuesday, January 28 when the Lakers and Clippers battle at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. In the wake of Bryant’s untimely passing, Lakers ticket sales have shot through the roof.
According to Ticket Club data, within hours of Bryant’s passing, Clippers-Lakers ticket sales increased exponentially. As of Monday morning, nearly half of the game’s total sales were accounted for since news of his death broke. Enormous demand for tickets to see the city pay tribute to the late star has driven up prices as well. The average price of tickets sold before January 26 was roughly $364. In the aftermath of Kobe’s passing, tickets are now averaging $955. The last regular season game that garnered such a high ticket price for the Lakers? Kobe Bryant’s final game in April 2016, which saw tickets go for over $1,000.
January 28 Clippers v. Lakers Ticket Sales
The Lakers versus Clippers has always been one of the league’s hottest headliners. However, this next meeting certainly bears a heavier weight on the city of Los Angeles and the sports world as a whole. This season, match-ups against the Clippers have marked some of the Lakers’ best-selling games. Kobe’s loss has their January 28 meeting bound to top the list, as it already has the most in-demand tickets based on average cost.
Clippers v. Lakers Average Ticket Price In Games This Season
Bryant became the face of the Lakers franchise when he was drafted right out of high school. He spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, highlighted by five NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVP awards and being one of the highest-scoring players of all time. Hours before his death, Bryant’s scoring record was surpassed by fellow Laker LeBron James. In what would be his final tweet, he congratulated James for the feat.
Bryant was also an 18-time NBA All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist and even won an Oscar for his 2017 short film Dear Basketball. He is survived by his wife Vanessa and daughters Natalia, 17, Bianka, 2 and Capri, 7 months.