Vanessa Bryant hinted at a contentious breakup with Nike in a statement following news that Kobe Bryant’s estate chose not to renew its partnership with the brand.
“Kobe’s Nike contract expired on 4/13/21,” said Vanessa, a widow of the Lakers legend, who died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020, along with the daughter of the couple Gianna “Gigi” Bryant, 13 years old. he told ESPN Monday.
Later, in her statement, Vanessa, who runs Kobe Bryant’s estate, added: “I was hoping to forge 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 reported to the media that Vanessa and the estate were discouraged with Nike for the lack of products after her retirement and death, including the lack of sneakers in the size of the children.
Vanessa had previously ventured about the lack of the Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch,” which was launched on Christmas Eve and sold out immediately, in an Instagram post last year.
On Dec. 23, she shared a message on her Instagram story, letting fans know she had contacted Nike to come up with a plan to make the shoes more available.
Sources told ESPN that the contract renewal offered by the estate did not live up to the standards set with the lifetime offers Michael Jordan and LeBron James received.
Kobe initially signed with Nike in 2003 and later negotiated a five-year “post-retirement” deal after his last NBA game on April 13, 2016.
While it’s unclear what the Lakers legend’s estate will do, it is believed that all future versions of Kobe Bryant-branded footwear and clothing manufactured by Nike will stop in association with a likely new brand.
“Kobe Bryant was an important part of Nike’s deep connection with consumers. He pushed us and improved everyone around him. Although our contractual relationship has ended, he remains a much-loved member of the Nike family, ”Nike told ESPN in a statement.
Despite the end of an era between Kobe and Nike, Vanessa said her “hope will always be to allow Kobe fans to get and carry their products.
“I will continue to fight for this. Kobe products run 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 a tearful eulogy after his death, was a close friend of Kobe in and out of court.
The ceremony is expected to be attended by 50 fame halls, including all presenters. It is unclear whether Bryant’s widow and children, Natalia, 18, Bianka, 4, and Capri, who turns 2 in June, will attend.