This was to be expected.
There had been rumbling before Kobe’s death that he was thinking of creating his own brand and it looks like that is the way Vanessa maybe going.
NIKE will continue to release old versions of his sneakers and whatever the latest one they had, but for now the partnership has come to an end.
Here is NIKE’s statement to BSO.
“Kobe Bryant was an important part of Nike’s deep connection to consumers. He pushed us and made everyone around him better. Though our contractual relationship has ended, he remains a deeply loved member of the Nike family.”
I would advise everyone to respect Vanessa’s decision.
Here is what she had to say.
“Kobe’s Nike contract expired on 4/13/21,” Vanessa Bryant told ESPN. “Kobe and Nike have made some of the most beautiful basketball shoes of all time, worn and adored by fans and athletes in all sports across the globe. It seems fitting that more NBA players wear my husband’s product than any other signature shoe.”
“My hope will always be to allow Kobe’s fans to get and wear his products,” Vanessa Bryant said. “I will continue to fight for that. Kobe’s products sell out in seconds. That says everything.
Flip the page for more details of the contract expiring and some of the Twitter reactions.