Kobe Bryant Estate has new deal with Nike

The Kobe Bryant Estate has entered into a new long-term agreement with Nike to continue producing Bryant’s Zoom Kobe series footwear and apparel, Vanessa Bryant and Nike announced Thursday.

The news comes nearly a year after Kobe Bryant’s initial endorsement deal with Nike expired.

“We are excited to announce that our partnership with Nike will continue!” Vanessa Bryant wrote in an Instagram post. “I am very proud that my husband’s shoes continue to be the most worn by players on the NBA courts and that the demand for his shoes continues to be so desired by his fans around the world.”

Nearly 20% of NBA players have worn a Nike Kobe shoe for a game since Bryant’s death along with his daughter, Gianna, in a helicopter crash in January 2020. During the 2019-20 season, 102 of all 322 players in total who competed in the restart of the League at Walt Disney World Resort wore some model of Kobe shoes.

From Nike’s perspective, they will seek to provide young athletes with access to youth sports, with several initiatives planned globally to honor Bryant’s legacy.

“Kobe Bryant means a lot to so many of us, not just NBA fans, but beyond the game globally,” Nike Chairman and CEO John Donahoe said in a statement. “His impact on the growth of the sport, particularly encouraging women and youth to take up the game, stands as one of his deepest and most lasting legacies. Together with Vanessa, we look forward to honoring Kobe and Gigi by supporting a new generation for many years to come.” “.

In addition to the re-releases of the 11 Kobe signature styles worn by Bryant during his career, and potentially also his six post-career styles, Nike will also release a new series of Gigi Bryant shoes, with a charity component.

“With this new partnership, fans will soon be able to have access to Kobe and Gigi Nike merchandise for years to come,” said Vanessa Bryant. “Nike [está] donating 100% of the annual net proceeds from Gianna’s shoes to our Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation (M&MSF).”

According to Nike, the first release from the revamped partnership could come on May 1, which would have been Gianna Bryant’s 16th birthday. Styled in the colors of ‘Gigi’s’ black and white ‘Mamba Ballers’ team uniform, with gold accents, that shoe was originally produced just before the contract expired last April and was never officially released.

“The partnership’s first new shoe, the Kobe 6 Protro ‘Mambacita Sweet 16’ will honor Gigi Bryant,” Nike said in a statement. “All proceeds from the shoe will benefit the Fundación Deportiva Mamba y Mambacita.”

During stalled talks leading to the deal’s eventual expiration last year, the Kobe Bryant Estate had pushed for Nike to produce a higher volume of shoes for relaunch releases, as well as expanding Kobe’s shoes to include kid’s sizes. . But another key element in renewing the partnership with Nike was their commitment to launch a new basketball facility in Bryant’s name.

“I am also grateful that Nike and I are working to establish a youth basketball hub in Southern California that will share the Mamba Mentality with young athletes for generations to come,” Vanessa Bryant wrote.

While the production process and timeline for new sneaker designs can typically take 14 to 18 months, several of Nike’s Kobe sneakers can be accessed for factory production before then, the sources told Reuters. ESPN, now that a new contract is signed with Kobe Bryant Estate. instead.

“I know this is an inspiring moment for fans of my husband and daughter around the world,” said Vanessa Bryant. “And I’m so thankful for each and every one of you!”