Kobe Bryant’s Family Makes Surprising Decision on Future With Nike

Kobe Bryant may have started his NBA career with Adidas, but he became one of the most popular Nike faces out there. Nick DePaula from ESPN reported that Kobe’s contract with the company ended on April 13. The Bryant family decided not to re-sign with Nike.

“Kobe’s Nike contract expired on 4/13/21,” Vanessa Bryant told ESPN. “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 died in January, 2020, and his estate makes the decisions related to his current contracts. According to ESPN, Vanessa had two main reasons not to-resign with the brand. The Bryant family opposed Nike’s decision to have limited releases of Kobe shoes following the helicopter crash. Vanessa hoped Nike would give her husband a lifetime deal. Michael Jordan and LeBron James got one.

“According to a source, 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,” ESPN reported. “There was also frustration with the lack of availability of Kobe footwear in kids’ sizes, according to sources. Nike, sources said, 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.”

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Production of Kobe Bryant products is halted by Nike

We don’t have any details related to Nike’s existing Kobe pieces. ESPN reported that the brand will halt all manufacturing of the products. The Nike deal has expired and the estate can work with another brand. Nike confirmed their contract with Kobe has expired and added that the basketball legend “remains a deeply loved member of the Nike family.”

“Kobe Bryant was an important part of Nike’s deep connection to consumers,” Nike said in a statement. “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.”