Kobe and Gianna Memorial: Fans Who Registered to Attend are Getting Emails
By Heather Navarro ••
NBCUniversal, Inc.
Suspected scammers may be stepping in where the random selection process leaves off. Beverly White reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020.
The thousands upon thousands who registered for tickets to attend the Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center were receiving emails Tuesday afternoon, letting them know they were on a waitlist or if they had a chance at purchasing tickets.
The memorial, set for Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. at Staples Center, was set to honor the basketball great and his daughter who were tragically killed along with seven others in a Calabasas helicopter crash.
Fans who registered for tickets to the Kobe Bryant memorial began to find out whether or not they would be able to buy tickets. Christine Kim reported on NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020.
"With thousands upon thousands of passionate fans from around the world who’d like to pay their respects, demand for tickets far exceeds the availability for A Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant Public Ticket Release," the email reads.
The email also said that to ensure the experience is respectful, only a small number of fans were to be invited to Wednesday's ticket release.
If any additional tickets were to become available, those who registered would be selected from the waitlist at random.
CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 16: Devin Booker #2 of Team LeBron honors Kobe Bryant before the 69th NBA All-Star Game on February 16, 2020 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Common performs a tribute to Kobe Bryant before the 69th NBA All-Star Game on February 16, 2020 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Artist, Jennifer Hudson performs a tribute to Kobe Bryant before the 69th NBA All-Star Game on February 16, 2020 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
A portrait photo of the Kobe Bryant MVP Award during the 69th NBA All-Star Game as part of 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 16, 2020 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
A tribute to Kobe Bryant is shown during the half time performance during the 69th NBA All-Star Game on February 16, 2020 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jennifer Hudson performs a tribute to Kobe Bryant before the 69th NBA All-Star Game at the United Center on February 16, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
A detail view of the Nike sneakers featuring a tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant worn by Quavo #91 of Team Stephen A. during the 2020 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Presented By Ruffles at Wintrust Arena on February 14, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Artist, Jennifer Hudson performs a tribute to Kobe Bryant before the 69th NBA All-Star Game on February 16, 2020 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Jennifer Hudson performs a tribute to Kobe Bryant before the 69th NBA All-Star Game at the United Center on February 16, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
A detail view of the sneakers worn by Pascal Siakam #24 of Team Giannis featuring a tribute to Kobe Bryant before the 69th NBA All-Star Game at the United Center on February 16, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
All funds and ticket sales gathered from the event were to go to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation. The foundation was renamed by Vanessa Bryant on Feb. 14 to include her daughter's moniker, "Mambacita."
