Vanessa Bryant is known for her unwavering success in legal battles, much like Kobe’s prowess on the basketball court. If you find yourself on the opposing side of her family, be prepared to face a top-notch legal team that will fight for justice. The lawsuit in question revolves around former president of KOBE INC, Molly Carter, who claimed that Kobe had promised her 2% of his Body Armour investment after it was sold to Coca-Cola. However, the judge ultimately ruled against Carter and Vanessa was able to expose the defamatory remarks made about Kobe and his family via TMZ Sports.
In 2019, six months before Kobe was killed in a tragic helicopter accident, the President of Kobe Inc., Molly Carter, claimed Kobe promised her 2% of his cut. Kobe called BS on her, saying he never made such a promise.
Molly sued, and Vanessa picked up the mantle and not only defended the case, she filed her own counterclaim, alleging Molly violated the duty of loyalty and the non-disparagement clause in her employment contract by trash-talking Kobe and his family.
As for the alleged trash-talking … Vanessa claimed she referred to Kobe as an “asshole,” a “douche nugget,” and a “dick wad.” She says Molly called her the “f***ing devil,” “bitch” and PSYCHO,” even mocking Vanessa’s newborn as having “botox lips.”
Vanessa says while Molly was working for the company, she was permitted to travel to an NBA All-Star game and on the jet she groused, there were “a lot of fancy-ass Black people” on the plane.
The case went to arbitration and Vanessa prevailed on both the lawsuit and her counterclaim and was awarded more than $1.5 mil in attorney’s fees.
You have to be careful who you let run your businesses. As you can see, many people, no matter who you are or what you have accomplished, still look down on you for being a black man or woman.
That is sad but not surprising.