Vanessa Bryant alluded to a controversial separation from Nike in a statement following the news that Kobe Bryant’s property has chosen not to renew its partnership with the brand.
“Kobe’s Nike contract expired on 13.04.21,” said Vanessa, the widow of the Lakers legend – who died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, along with the couple’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant – ESPN said Monday.
Later, in her statement, Vanessa, who runs Kobe Bryant’s estate, added: “I was hoping to enter into a lifelong partnership with Nike that would reflect my husband’s legacy. We will always do our best to honor the legacies of Kobe and Gigi. That will never change. ”
Sources told the media that Vanessa and the estate were discouraged by Nike for the lack of products after retirement and death, including the lack of sneakers for children.
Vanessa had previously ventured about the missing Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch” – which was released on Christmas Eve and immediately sold out – in an Instagram post last year.
On December 23, she shared a message to her Instagram story, telling fans that she had arrived at Nike to come up with a plan to make the shoes more available.
Sources told ESPN that the renewal of the contract offered the property was not up to the standards set with the lifetime agreements Michael Jordan and LeBron James received.
Kobe initially signed with Nike in 2003, and later negotiated a five-year “post-retirement” agreement after his last NBA game on April 13, 2016.
Although it is not clear what the Lakers legend’s estate will do next, it is believed that all future launches of Nike-made Kobe Bryant footwear will be stopped in partnership with a likely new brand.
“Kobe Bryant has been an important part of Nike’s deep connection with consumers. He pushed us and improved everyone around us. Although our contractual relationship has ended, he remains a deeply loved member of the Nike family, “Nike said in a statement to ESPN.
Despite the end of an era between Kobe and Nike, Vanessa said that “the hope will always be to allow Kobe fans to wear and wear their products.
“I will continue to fight for this. Kobe products sell out in seconds. That says it all. ”
Earlier this month, it was announced that Michael Jordan will introduce Bryant to the opening ceremony of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, which will take place on May 15 at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Jordan, who referred to Bryant as “his little brother” in mourning praise after his death, was friends with Kobe on and off the field.
The ceremony is expected to be attended by 50 Hall of Famers, including all presenters. It is unclear whether Bryant’s widow and their children, Natalia, 18, Bianka, 4, and Capri, who turns 2 in June, will attend.