Kobe Bryant and Nike part ways | Featured | Sports Marketing Summit | w&v

The estate administrators of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who died in an accident last year, have ended the 18-year cooperation with the sporting goods supplier Nike. The reason given by the US television station ESPN was that both parties could not agree on the terms.

According to industry insiders, Bryant's wife, Vanessa Bryant, and executors are said to have become increasingly frustrated that Nike severely limited the availability of Kobe products during his retirement from playing ball games and following the fatal January 2020 helicopter crash. In addition, they criticized the availability of Kobe shoes in children's sizes. The heirs of the Black Mamba were also annoyed that the extension offer avoided certain wording from contracts with Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

"He pushed us and made everyone around him better."

The current deal ended in early April. "I hoped to forge a lifelong partnership with Nike that would reflect my husband's legacy," Kobe's widow told ESPN. "We will always do whatever we can to honor the memory of Kobe and Gigi. That will never change."

Nike said in a statement that "Kobe Bryant has always been an important part of Nike's deep connection with its customers." "He pushed us and made everyone around him better. Even though our contractual relationship has ended, he remains a dearly loved member of the Nike family."