Nike to relaunch Kobe's signature line on Kobe Day 2023
By Rebecca Noronha
The athletic titan, Nike, is going to revive Kobe Bryant's line before August 24th this year. Kobe Bryant Day was established in the Los Angeles region in 2021 to pay tribute to the late basketball icon. The day was picked because, during his Hall of Fame career, he wore the jersey numbers 8 and 24. During the Nike Q4 - FY23 call, John Donahoe said, "Nike defines basketball." The brand's plans for the remainder of the year include a major emphasis on the legacy of Bryant, the Black Mamba.
In April 2021, Vanessa Bryant announced on social media that her late husband's contract with Nike had ended and would not be renewed. Since Kobe's retirement in 2016, there has already been tension in the relationship. Nike's marketing staff decided to concentrate on the trademark brands of NBA players who were still playing because sales had stalled. Before coming to an agreement on a new contract in March 2022, Nike and the Bryant estate had a roughly one-year-long split. Conversely, Nike has very infrequently and in extremely limited numbers, launched sneakers from the Kobe brand, all of which have quickly sold out.
'Kobe and Nike have made some of the most beautiful basketball shoes of all time, worn and adored by fans and athletes in all sports across the globe,' Vanessa’s post said. Products honouring their daughter Gigi, who passed away along with her father in a helicopter tragedy in January 2020, will also be part of the relaunched line. With Vanessa's help, Nike launched the Kobe 4 Protro 'Mambacita' sneakers this spring in recognition of Gigi's 17th birthday.
From 2003 until 2020, Bryant worked with Nike to create one of the most popular trademark basketball lines in history. Donahoe noted that Bryant's brand encompassed far more than just sneakers. The Nike Kobe brand featured clothing and accessories during his prime. Fans are most desperate to get their hands on Bryant's iconic footwear, though.
These are Kobe Bryant's Nike sneakers releasing over the next year, as of now :
Kobe 8 Protro 'Triple White'
The Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'Triple White' is releasing on August 24th.
Kobe 6 Protro 'Reverse Grinch'
The Nike Kobe 6 Protro 'Reverse Grinch' is releasing on December 16.
Kobe 4 Protro 'Black & Gold'
The Nike Kobe 4 Protro 'Black & Gold' is releasing on December 26th.
Kobe 8 Protro 'Emerald' and ‘Purple’
The Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'Radiant Emerald' is scheduled to launch on February 8th, 2024.
Kobe 6 "Prelude" is rumoured to be releasing as well.
Donahoe did not provide any more information on whether Nike will be renewing more of the Hall of Famer's beloved shoe designs in their original iterations or new models. Not many details have been released regarding the designs, colours, or products that Nike will offer on Kobe Day, but you already know that it will sell out quickly because Kobe-related gear is in high demand.
Kobe Day is only 50 days away, so it's only a matter of time and we can't wait to see what's in store! Stay tuned for more updates.