1998 Kobe Bryant Starting Lineup Figure New Unopened: Value, Facts, and How to Buy One Safely
Kobe Bryant was 19 years old when he became the youngest All-Star starter in NBA history in 1998. A small plastic figure in a yellow Lakers uniform captured that moment, and collectors still hunt for it today.
The 1998 Kobe Bryant Starting Lineup figure is a sealed Kenner collectible from the Hasbro family of brands. This guide covers what you get, what it costs, how to judge condition, and how to avoid common buying mistakes.
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What Is the 1998 Kobe Bryant Starting Lineup Figure?
It is a 1998 edition Starting Lineup action figure of Kobe Bryant in the Los Angeles Lakers yellow uniform. Kenner produced the line, and Hasbro is listed as the manufacturer on current marketplace pages. The “new unopened” label means the figure is still sealed in its original packaging.
Starting Lineup began in 1988 and became one of the best known sports figure lines of the 1990s. Hasbro absorbed Kenner in the early 1990s, which is why you will see both names. Figures in this line are small, around the size of a standard action figure, and are made for collectors as much as kids.
Collectors tend to love this piece for one reason: it sits at the start of Kobe’s career. If you collect his early cards, such as the 1998 Collector’s Edge Kobe Bryant cards, this figure fits the same era.
Quick Specs From the Current Amazon Listing
The listing details below come from the product page. They describe the item sold there and may differ from other sellers.
How Much Is a 1998 Kobe Bryant Starting Lineup Figure Worth?
The current Amazon listing shows $60.00, with a typical price of $63.99. That is a useful reference point, but not a guaranteed market value. Prices for sealed vintage figures move with condition, seller reputation, and demand for Kobe items.
I could not verify a reliable public sales index for this exact figure, so I will not quote a sold average. The safest method is to check recent sold listings on eBay for the same part number and compare condition.
What Changes the Price
Four things move the price most:
- Packaging condition, including card corners, bubble clarity, and creases
- Whether the item is truly sealed and original
- Seller type, since Prime shipping and returns add value
- Shipping cost and return terms
Market Snapshot
| Marketplace | What to Expect | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Listed at $60.00 with free returns and a 30 day return guarantee | Other sellers may offer lower prices without Prime shipping |
| eBay | Wide range of conditions and prices, plus sold listing history | Photos that hide corners, creases, or resealed packaging |
| Whatnot | Live and fixed price listings from collectors | Auction hype and added shipping fees |
| Walmart Marketplace | Third party sellers listing the same item | Confirm seller ratings and return terms |
Why Collectors Want This Figure
The figure represents Kobe in his early Lakers years, wearing the classic yellow home uniform. Kobe wore number 8 early in his career before switching to 24 in 2006, so 1990s items show the first chapter of his story.
Starting Lineup figures are also easy to display. They fit on a shelf, a desk, or in a small case next to cards and framed photos. If you are building a broader display, our Kobe Bryant action figure guide and Kobe Bryant figure buying guide cover other options.
How to Judge Condition Before You Buy
For a sealed figure, the package is the product. A perfect figure inside a damaged package still sells at a discount.
Condition Checklist
- Card corners are sharp, not rounded or bent
- Plastic bubble is clear, not yellowed, cracked, or dented
- No glue marks or tape around the bubble edge that suggest resealing
- Front art and printing are crisp, with no fading
- Back of the package shows the correct part number and UPC
- No price sticker residue covering important print
- Photos show all four corners and the back, not just the front
How to Spot a Real One
Check the package details against the listing data. The part number on this item is 71729, and the main UPC is 076281717296. A seller should be willing to show a clear photo of the back of the package.
Avoid listings that use only stock photos. Ask for your own photos if the seller will not provide any. For authentication basics on other Kobe items, see our Kobe Bryant memorabilia buying guide.
Note on the Amazon Listing Details
The listing includes fields such as “1 AAA battery required” and an age range of 4 to 14. Those look like generic marketplace entries rather than details that match a sealed collectible. Treat it as a collector piece, and confirm specifics with the seller before purchase.
Pros and Cons of Buying This Figure
- Early career Kobe item from 1998
- Iconic yellow Lakers uniform
- Affordable compared to rookie cards and signed items
- Compact and easy to display
- Free returns on the Amazon listing
- Value depends heavily on package condition
- Resealed or damaged packaging is a risk
- Prices vary by seller, so comparison is needed
- Not an autographed or game used item
Step by Step: How to Buy One Safely
- Compare the Amazon price against recent eBay sold listings.
- Check the part number 71729 and UPC against the package photos.
- Inspect corners, bubble, and edges in close up photos.
- Confirm the return policy before paying.
- Pay with a protected method and keep all messages.
- Store it upright, away from sunlight and moisture after it arrives.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most buyers get burned by the same few things. They buy on price alone, skip the back photo, or ignore shipping costs. Another common error is storing the figure in a hot attic or humid basement, which can warp the card and cloud the bubble.
Also avoid cleaning the package with chemicals. A dry microfiber cloth is enough.
Where This Figure Fits in a Kobe Collection
This is an entry level piece. If you want something more premium, signed items and graded cards sit much higher. Our guides on Kobe Bryant rookie cards and signed Kobe Bryant memorabilia help you plan the next step.
For team and product background, official sources like Hasbro and NBA.com are good places to verify brand and player history. Grading and card references from Beckett and PSA are useful if you collect across categories.
- This is a 1998 Kenner/Hasbro Starting Lineup figure of Kobe in the yellow Lakers uniform.
- The Amazon listing shows $60.00, with a typical price of $63.99.
- Part number 71729 and UPC 076281717296 help confirm the item.
- Package condition drives value more than anything else.
- Compare sold listings before you pay.
FAQs
What is the 1998 Kobe Bryant Starting Lineup figure?
It is a 1998 edition Kenner Starting Lineup action figure of Kobe Bryant in the Los Angeles Lakers yellow uniform, sold new and unopened in its original packaging.
Who makes the Starting Lineup figures?
Starting Lineup was created by Kenner, and Hasbro is listed as the manufacturer on current marketplace pages for this figure.
How much does the 1998 Kobe Bryant Starting Lineup figure cost?
The current Amazon listing shows $60.00, with a typical price of $63.99. Prices from other sellers vary with condition and shipping.
What does new unopened mean?
It means the figure is still sealed in its original package and has not been opened or used.
What is the part number for this figure?
The listed manufacturer part number is 71729, and the main UPC shown is 076281717296.
Is this figure a good investment?
It can be a solid affordable collectible, but values are not guaranteed. Condition and market demand decide the price, so compare recent sold listings before buying.
How can I tell if the package is original?
Look for clean bubble edges, no glue or tape residue, correct print on the back, and matching part number and UPC. Ask the seller for close up photos of all four corners.
Does the figure need batteries?
The marketplace listing mentions a battery, but that looks like a generic field. Confirm with the seller, since a sealed collectible figure is meant for display.
Can I return it if I do not like it?
The Amazon listing shows free returns and a 30 day return guarantee. Other sellers set their own terms, so check before you pay.
How should I store a sealed Starting Lineup figure?
Keep it upright in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. A hard plastic protector case helps prevent corner damage.
Where can I compare prices for this figure?
Check Amazon, eBay sold listings, Whatnot, and Walmart Marketplace. Sold listings on eBay give the best view of what buyers actually paid.
Final Thoughts
The 1998 Kobe Bryant Starting Lineup figure is an affordable way to own a piece of his early Lakers years. Buy the best sealed condition you can afford, verify the package details, and keep the return policy in mind.
Next step: pull up three recent sold listings, compare them to the $60.00 Amazon price, and choose the cleanest package. Then browse our Kobe Bryant memorabilia guide to plan the rest of your display.
