Shortly after Kobe Bryant retired in 2016, he cemented a five-year deal with Nike that would extend the Mamba’s shoe line well into his retirement. While sneakers deals are typically reserved
for active players, extending Kobe was a no-brainer. One of the greatest basketball players of all time, he helped revolutionize on-court sneakers by spreading the gospel of low-top shoes—and his just so happened to be the model worn most frequently by his peers. Michael Jordan is the only other NBA player to sell signature shoes in his post-playing career. Why wouldn’t Nike strike the same arrangement with Kobe? At the time, the five-year deal felt like the first in a series of formalities that would keep Kobe a member of the Nike family for perpetuity. But Bryant’s tragic death in 2020, along with the expiration of that five-year contract earlier this month, has changed the landscape, with ESPN reporting that the Swoosh and Bryant’s estate weren’t able to carve out a new deal. Here’s what that means.
What happened?
There are apparently a host of reasons for the deal falling through. Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow, told ESPN that t she “was hoping to forge a lifelong partnership with Nike that reflects my husband's legacy.” Apparently, Nike wasn’t willing to make a deal in perpetuity. The company only hands out those deals on the rarest of occasions. Currently, only LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo have lifetime Nike deals.
The Bryant camp was also allegedly frustrated with the way Nike handled the Lakers legend’s releases after his death, limiting new releases. Because of Kobe’s passing, demand for his shoes only grew—especially among resellers grimly hoping to capitalize on the situation.
This isn’t the first we’re hearing of frustration around availability, either. In December, Nike released pairs of the fan-favorite Kobe 6 “Grinch” colorway that sold out immediately. Vanessa responded on Instagram: “I heard that fans are having a hard time buying Kobe's online. I reached out to Nike and I wanted to do something cool for fans fto have a better opportunity to get some Kobe's.” She hinted that she and Nike were working together to allay these issues, but it doesn’t appear anything materialized.
Spurs forward DeMar DeRozan wearing a pair of Kobes.
Abbie Parr / Getty ImagesWhat does this mean for future Nike x Kobe shoes?
For the time being, it looks like manufacturing of all Kobe-related shoes and apparel will be put to a stop, according to ESPN. The contract should allow for a short window during which Nike can release shoes that have already been planned for.