It really looks like this might be the end of Kobe Bryant’s signature sneaker line with Nike.
On Tuesday, news broke that Kobe Bryant’s deal with Nike had expired in April after 18 years of being together. They couldn’t agree to terms on an extension with Vanessa Bryant and Kobe’s estate.
There were several reasons they couldn’t agree to terms, according to reporting from ESPN’s Nick DePaula.
Vanessa Bryant had reportedly become frustrated with how limited the availability of Bryant’s shoes had been during his retirement and after his death.
It looks like she might be able to fulfill that promise — it just might not be with Nike.
Apparently, the Bryant estate has already filed trademarks on for footwear, apparel, and multiple logos, per Nice Kicks.
Kobe Bryant, LLC has filed trademarks for footwear and apparel. pic.twitter.com/s9OUuEEFxB
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) April 20, 2021
Included in that list is “Kobe Bryant,” Bryant’s signature, “Mamba,” “Mamba League,” and a Mamba logo.
These trademarks were filed before contract negotiations fell through, so clearly this is something that Vanessa Bryant and the estate have been thinking about for quite some time. The door isn’t quite closed, but it’s pretty close.
This was bound to happen, though. Nobody seems happy with the way Nike has been releasing Bryant’s signature sneakers since his untimely death. They’ve been extremely limited every time they’ve dropped. And Mamba Week last August was an absolute disaster.
Months later, Nike released the Kobe ‘Grinch’ 6’s and the result was the same. Vanessa Bryant took to Instagram to publicly state that she was working with Nike to increase stock, but nothing has changed since.
They haven’t been satisfied with the way these drops have gone. This is the estate taking that power back. That’s an amazing thing.
No, the shoes wouldn’t be Nikes. But even if they aren’t, fans of Bryant won’t care. They just want something to remember their fallen idol with.
And if this move gets them that? That’s a big win for everyone.
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