Vanessa Bryant points to a controversial break with Nike in a statement following the news that Kobe Bryant’s estate prefers not to renew its partnership with the brand.
“Kobe’s Nike contract expired on 13/4/21,” said Vanessa, widow of the Lakers legend – who died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, with the couple’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna. Gigi “Bryant, died, told ESPN on Monday.
Later in her statement, Vanessa, who runs Kobe Bryant’s estate, added: ‘I was hoping to enter into a lifelong partnership with Nike that reflects my husband’s legacy. We will always do everything in our power to honor the legacies of Kobe and Gigi. It will never change. ”
Sources told the point of sale that Vanessa and the estate were discouraged with Nike after his retirement and death due to a lack of products, including a lack of sneakers in child sizes.
Vanessa earlier said in an Instagram post about the lack of the Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch” – which was released on Christmas Eve and sold out immediately.
On December 23, she shared a message on her Instagram story, letting fans know she had reached out to Nike to devise a plan to make the shoes more available.
Sources told ESPN the renewal of the contract offers that the estate does not meet the standards set with the lifelong transactions received by Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
Kobe initially signed with Nike in 2003 and later negotiated a five-year ‘post-retirement’ agreement after his final NBA game on April 13, 2016.
While it is unclear what the Lakers legend’s estate will do next, it is believed that all future releases of Kobe Bryant shoes and clothing manufactured by Nike will be discontinued with a partnership with a new brand.
“Kobe Bryant was an important part of Nike’s deep connection with consumers. He pushed us and made everyone around him better. “Although our contractual relationship has ended, he remains a beloved member of the Nike family,” Nike said in a statement to ESPN.
Despite the end of an era between Kobe and Nike, Vanessa said her hope will always be to allow Kobe’s fans to get and wear his products.
“I will continue to fight for it. Kobe’s products sell within seconds. That says it all. ”
Earlier this month, it was announced that Michael Jordan Bryant will perform at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inauguration ceremony, which will take place on May 15 at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Jordan, who referred to Bryant as his ‘little brother’ in a tearful eulogy after his death, was close friends with Kobe inside and outside the court.
The ceremony expects 50 Hall of Famers, including all presenters, to attend in person. It is unclear whether Bryant’s widow and their children, Natalia (18), Bianka (4) and Capri, who will be in June 2, will attend.