Kobe Bryant Shoes Continue With Nike After Vanessa Bryant Approves Partnership; Here's the First New Sneakers to Be Released
Nike and Kobe's estate announced a partnership that will give birth to a new line of shoes in tribute to the late basketball superstar and his daughter, Gigi Bryant.
The said collaboration is said to inspire a new generation of athletes and encourage youth participation in sports, according to Nike.
Nike President and CEO John Donahoe said Kobe Bryant's impact in growing basketball and his encouragement to women and young people is one of the athlete's lasting legacies.
"Together with Vanessa, we hope to honor Kobe and Gigi by championing a new generation for many years to come," Donahoe underscored in the statement.
Vanessa Bryant also took to Instagram to announce the new partnership of Kobe's estate and the shoe company, claiming that they are excited about the move.
"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," Kobe's wife said.
According to ESPN, 20 percent of NBA players had worn Nike Kobe for the games since the Lakers star and his daughter died in the accident.
Gigi Bryant Shoes to be Released by Nike
Vanessa Bryant also mentioned in her IG post that the partnership of Kobe's estate and Nike will give way to a new line of products dedicated to Kobe and her daughter Gigi.
Nike noted that the new Kobe release will be the Kobe 6 Protro "Mambacita Sweet 16." The shoes will serve as a tribute to Gigi Bryant.
The said shoes will feature the black and white colors of Gigi's mamba ballers team uniform colors. The shoes will also have gold accents in them.
Nike did not mention when Gigi's shoes will be released. However, ESPN mentioned that the release from the renewed partnership could arrive as soon as May 1, which would have been Gigi's 16th birthday.
Nike noted that the proceeds of the Mambacita sweet 16 will go straight to Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.
It can be recalled that Vanessa Bryant previously called out Nike on Instagram for a shoe design leak also called "Mambacita," which Vanessa claimed that the design is not up for sale during that time.
Kobe's widow included a photo of a prototype shoe on the post. However, it was not clear if the design she posted will also be used for the Mambacita sweet 16.
Other Scope of Nike and Kobe Bryant Partnership
The renewed partnership between Kobe Bryant's estate and Nike will also give way to the construction of a youth basketball center in Southern California, per Nike.
According to Kobe's widow, the basketball center will share the "mamba mentality" with youth athletes.
"I know this is an inspiring moment for my husband and daughter's global fans, and I am very appreciative of each and every one of you," Vanessa Bryant stressed.
Nike and Kobe Bryant's wife did not further on other details regarding the basketball center, including the starting date of its construction.
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Written By: Joshua Summers
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