Kobe Bryant’s estate has reached a new long-term contract with Nike to continue producing footwear and apparel from Bryant’s Zoom Kobe series, Vanessa Bryant and Nike announced on Thursday.
The news comes nearly a year after Kobe Bryant’s initial endorsement deal with Nike expired.
“We’re excited to announce our partnership with Nike is going to continue!” Vanessa Bryant, Bryant’s widow, wrote in an Instagram post. “I am so proud that my husband’s shoes are still the most worn by players on NBA courts and that the demand for his shoes remain so desired by his fans around the world.”
Vanessa Bryant previously said she was parting ways with Nike over money and shoe availability issues. The previous contract ended in April 2021 after Vanessa was reportedly seeking a “lifetime” contract, similar to the ones LeBron James and Michael Jordan have.
According to Nike, nearly 20% of NBA players have worn a Nike Kobe sneaker for at least one game since Bryant’s death along with his daughter, Gianna, and seven others in a January 2020 helicopter crash near Calabasas. During the 2019-20 season, 102 of the 322 total players competing in the league’s restart in the Orlando bubble wore a Kobe sneaker.
Nike says it hopes to provide young athletes access to youth sports, with several global initiatives planned to honor Bryant’s legacy.
“Kobe Bryant means so much to so many of us, not just NBA fans but globally beyond the game,” John Donahoe, Nike’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “His impact in growing the sport, particularly encouraging women and young people to pick it up, endures as one of his deepest, lasting legacies. Together with Vanessa, we hope to honor Kobe and Gigi by championing a new generation for many years to come.”
In addition to re-releases of the 11 signature Kobe models worn by the Lakers star during his career, and potentially his six post-career models as well, Nike says it will also launch a new Gigi Bryant shoe series, with a charity component.
“With this new partnership, fans will soon be able to have access to Kobe and Gigi Nike product for years to come,” Vanessa Bryant said. “Nike [is] donating 100% of the net proceeds yearly for Gianna’s shoes to our Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation (M&MSF).”
According to Nike, the first release from the renewed partnership could arrive as soon as May 1, which would have been Gianna Bryant’s 16th birthday. Styled in “Gigi’s” black and white “Mamba Ballers” team uniform colors, with gold accents, that shoe was originally produced just before last the last contract expired and was never officially released.
“The first new shoe from the partnership, the Kobe 6 Protro ‘Mambacita Sweet 16’ will honor Gigi Bryant,” Nike said in a statement. “All proceeds from the shoe will benefit the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.”
During stalled talks leading up to the expiration of the previous deal last year, the Bryant estate wanted Nike to expand Kobe’s shoes to include kids’ sizes. Another key to renewing the partnership was Nike’s commitment to launching a new basketball facility in Bryant’s name.
“I am also grateful that Nike and I will work together to establish a youth basketball center in Southern California that will share the Mamba Mentality with youth athletes for generations to come,” Vanessa Bryant wrote.
“I know this is an inspiring moment for my husband and daughter’s global fans,” Vanessa Bryant said. “And I am very appreciative of each and every one of you!”
There’s is no official word on when the Kobe line will return to retailers and Nike’s online store, but since the company was in production on a few retros last year when the previous contract expired, there surely will be plenty of motivation to resume producing the popular products quickly.
Kobe joined Nike in 2003 after a short stint with Adidas.