Kobe Bryant had a great working relationship with the iconic Nike brand, but the company had announced the end of their deal.
Nike and now the brand has reportedly issued a statement. “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.”
Statement from Nike: “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.” pic.twitter.com/zSOVAJfD6n
— B/R Kicks (@brkicks) April 20, 2021
Venture capitalist Shervin Pishevar claims to know the inside scoop on Bryant’s plans just prior to his untimely death. “I met with Kobe Bryant in late December 2019,” tweeted Pishevar. “Kobe wasn’t happy with Nike and was going to leave it in 2020. Kobe was going to start Mamba, a shoe company owned by players. He passed away weeks later. What he was about to do in business was going to eclipse his sports career.”
2/ These were the designs my team did to show him that day for an independent Mamba shoe company. Here’s calendar details. There were witnesses to the meeting and Kobe’s plans like Gina Ford, who manages Usain Bolt. pic.twitter.com/PgsIDt0P0E
— Shervin Pishevar (@shervin) December 29, 2020
Vanessa Bryant made a public statement about where she stands with the company. “Kobe’s Nike contract expired on 4/3/21,” Vanessa began. “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,” she continued. “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. 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.” Check it out below.
