Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant estate elect not to renew partnership with Nike
Vanessa Bryant and the Kobe Bryant estate elected not to renew the partnership with Nike, she confirmed to @NickDePaula: https://t.co/tjGOYGgPrS pic.twitter.com/cYqXK6xvci
- SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 20, 2021
Kobe Bryant's five-year, post-retirement endorsement extension with Nike have expired this month.
Vanessa Bryant and the Kobe Bryant estate elected not to renew the partnership.
"Kobe's Nike contract expired on 4/13/21. 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."
Bryant and the estate had grown frustrated with Nike limiting the availability of Kobe products during his retirement and after his January 2020 death in a helicopter crash. There was also frustration with the lack of availability of Kobe footwear in kids' sizes.
"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."
Nike had presented an extension offer that was not in line with expectations of an ongoing "lifetime" structure similar to the Nike Inc. contracts held by both Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
All future releases of Kobe Bryant-branded footwear and apparel manufactured by Nike will be halted.
The Kobe Bryant estate could enter into negotiations with outside brands to form a new partnership.
Kobe Bryant estate owns the rights to both the "Mamba" logo and his signature.
The "Sheath" logo often featured on the tongue of Nike's Kobe sneakers is mutually owned by both sides.
source