Vanessa Bryant hinted at a controversial breakup with Nike in a statement that Kobe Bryant’s assets opted not to renew their partnership with the brand.
“Kobe’s Nike contract expired on 4/13/21,” Vanessa, widow of the Lakers – who died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, with the couple’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant – Told ESPN on Monday.
Later, in her statement, Vanessa, who heads the property of Kobe Bryant, said, “I was looking forward to building a lifelong partnership with Nike that reflects my husband’s legacy. Kobe and Gigi’s legacy We will always do everything that we do to honor that. That will never change. “
Sources told the outlet that Vanessa and the estate were discouraged with Nike after their retirement and lack of products after their deaths, including a lack of sneakers in children’s sizes.
Vanessa previously vowed about the lack of the Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch” – which was released on Christmas Eve and sold in an Instagram post last year.
On December 23, she shared a message on her Instagram story, letting fans know that she had reached out to Nike with plans to make the shoes more widely available.
Sources said that while ESPN offered renewal of the contract, the property was not up to the standards that had been settled with lifetime deals received to Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
Kobe initially signed with Naik in 2003, and later negotiated a five-year “post-retirement” deal after his last NBA game on April 13, 2016.
While it is unclear what the wealth of the Lakers legend will do next, it is believed that all future releases of Nike-produced Kobe Bryant-branded shoes and apparel will be halted with a partnership with the possibility of a new brand.
“Kobe Bryant was an important part of Nike’s deep connection to consumers. He pushed us and made everyone around him better. Although our contractual relationship has ended, he is a deeply loved member of the Nike family.
Despite the end of an era between Kobe and Nike, Vanessa stated that “Hope will always allow Kobe fans to receive and wear their products.”
“I will keep fighting for him. Kobe products are sold out in seconds. He says everything. “
Earlier this month, it was announced that Michael Jordan would induct Bryant into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, which will take place on 15 May at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Jordan, who referred to Bryant as his “younger brother” in a turbulent eulogy after his death, was close friends with Kobe and from court.
One person from 50 Hall of Famers is expected to attend the ceremony along with all the halls. It is unclear if Bryant’s widow and her children, Natalia, 18, Bianca, 4, and Capri, who turns 2 in June, will attend.
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