Vanessa Bryant ENDS Kobe Bryant Nike Deal!

After nearly 2 decades Kobe Bryant and Nike are breaking up. Read on since Vanessa Bryant ends Kobe Bryant Nike contract…

 

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Vanessa Bryant who leads up Kobe’s estate has decided not to renew the previous 5-year “post-retirement endorsement extension” Mamba signed in 2016.

CelebnSports247.com reports that Team Kobe is parting ways with Nike.

Vanessa Bryant told ESPN

Kobe’s Nike contract expired on 4/13/21

After nearly 2 decades … 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.

Kobe originally signed with Nike back in 2003 — and later inked his “post-retirement” deal following his final NBA game on April 13, 2016.

Why Vanessa ENDED Kobe Bryant’s deal with Nike?

There are two main reasons, which are, long-term money and 2, Vanessa wasn’t happy with Kobe shoe availability, particularly when it came to kids.

She was hoping for a deal that was more like the lucrative “lifetime” deals that Michael Jordan and LeBron James have signed with the company.

Vanessa felt the Nike strategy of limiting the number of Kobe shoes to increase demand and collectability was hurting the ability of the common fan to cop a Kobe sneaker.

Vanessa told ESPN:

My hope will always be to allow Kobe’s fans to get and wear his products … I will continue to fight for that. Kobe’s products sell out in seconds. That says everything.

She added:

I was hoping to forge a lifelong partnership with Nike that reflects my husband’s legacy. We will always do everything we can to honor Kobe and Gigi’s legacies. That will never change.

What’s next?

Nike will likely stop making Kobe products (unless they come to terms on another deal with the estate). Meanwhile, Vanessa will likely look for a new partnership with a different shoe company.

Nike issued a statement on the situation:

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.