Kobe Bryant's Nike Deal Expires, Future Now In Question

Contract between Kobe Bryant estate, Nike expires

It seems we won't see new Kobe releases anymore as 
Nike's longstanding partnership with the Kobe Bryant late Kobe Bryant has seemingly ended.

The deal between Nike and the 18-time All Star expired this month according to sources. Bryant's estate can now pursue deals with other major brands.

Bryant was a huge part of Nike's success and his death unintentionally generated more sales for the brand. Now, other brands have a chance to get that market share from his estate.

Bryant's Nike deal expires

Bryant has had a longtime relationship with Nike. He used to represent Adidas since entering the league in 1996 before being dropped for his alleged rape case in 2003.

Nike immediately took him under their brand in one of the biggest basketball deals in history. Bryant sits alongside LeBron James and Michael Jordan as the brand's megastar representatives. 

During this time, Nike released 11 signature Kobe shoes during his playing days, and a couple more after he retired in 2016.

What happens now?

Where does Bryant's shoe deal estate go? It all depends on his wife Vanessa on where she decides to take it.

There's a huge possibility that the Bryant stays with Nike for another deal. This resumes a nearly two-decade-long partnership.

A couple more options are out there in the open like a return to Adidas or representing another rising brand, which will definitely be worth the investment considering the Kobe name.

It will be understandable though if the estate takes a step back for a while. Bryant's death just happened a little over a year ago and picking a new deal might not be a wise choice for the legal decision-maker.

"My hope will always be to allow Kobe's fans to get and wear his products," Vanessa said in an interview. 

"I will continue to fight for that. Kobe's products sell out in seconds," she added.


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