The Kobe Bryant estate reached a new deal with Nike nearly a year after Bryant's initial endorsement deal with the company expired. With the new agreement, Nike will continue to produce shoes and clothing from Bryant's Zoom Kobe series. Bryant's previous deal with Nike expired last year.
From Nike. The Kobe Bryant Estate has reached a new long-term contract with Nike to continue producing both footwear and apparel from Bryant's Zoom Kobe series, Vanessa Bryant and Nike announced on Thursday. However, the relationship between Nike and Kobe Bryant - and his estate - is over.
Kobe had signed a five-year extension with the company in 2016, and as it was set to expire Nike and the Bryant estate, led by his widow Vanessa, could not reach agreement a new deal. Complex broke the news and both sides confirmed it with statements. Nike and the Kobe Bryant estate have agreed to a new deal continuing the late basketball player's line of sneakers and apparel.
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Kobe Bryant secured a lifetime deal with Nike in 2016, making him one of the select athletes to achieve such an arrangement. This deal allowed Nike to continue producing Kobe. 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. The news comes a year after Bryant's estate with Nike expired. Bryant originally signed with the company in 2003 after being with Adidas and went on to be one of the most iconic faces for Nike.
Kobe continues to inspire us all to be better today than we were yesterday with Passion, Focus, Honesty, Fearless and Optimism. 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.
