Vanessa Bryant has teamed up with Nike to pay tribute to her late husband, basketball legend Kobe Bryant. Vanessa Bryant will lead the partnership, which will inspire a new generation of athletes and increase youth participation in sports. The athletic gear brand stated on Thursday that it will focus on supporting a new generation of people and promoting youth participation in sports in conjunction with the Bryant family. Bryant’s league season lineage of basketball shoes, as well as his contribution to the expansion of basketball in North America and Greater China, will be continued through the new relationship.
“I am happy to announce that we will continue my husband’s legacy with Nike and look forward to expanding his and Gigi’s global impact by sharing the Mamba Mentality with youth athletes for generations to come,” says Vanessa Bryant.
The Kobe 6 Protro “Mambacita Sweet 16,” the first shoe of the collaboration, will be a homage to Vanessa and Kobe’s daughter, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant. The earnings from the sneaker will go entirely to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. The date of the release will be revealed at a later date. The revelation of the company’s new relationship comes a year after it was disclosed that Kobe Bryant’s long-standing collaboration with Nike had come to an abrupt end, as well as Vanessa earlier blasting the company over illegal Gigi-themed sneakers.
BREAKING: Vanessa Bryant says that the Bryant family relationship with Nike will continue.
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) March 24, 2022
“Fans will soon be able to have access to Kobe & Gigi Nike product for years to come.”
Nike will also donate 100% of the annual net proceeds from Gianna’s shoes to the family foundation. pic.twitter.com/K5DvlAC68a
“Kobe Bryant means so much to so many of us, not just NBA fans but globally beyond the game. His impact in growing the sport, particularly encouraging women and young people to pick it up, endures as one of his deepest, lasting legacies. Together with Vanessa, we hope to honor Kobe and Gigi by championing a new generation for many years to come,” says John Donahoe, President & CEO, NIKE, Inc.
From Nike President & CEO John Donahoe:
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) March 24, 2022
“Kobe Bryant means so much to so many of us. His impact in growing the sport endures as one of his deepest, lasting legacies.”
“Together with Vanessa, we hope to honor Kobe & Gigi by championing a new generation for years to come.” pic.twitter.com/QUBURVLvEp
Aside from the new collaboration, Nike and Vanessa will collaborate to open a youth basketball center in Southern California, along with maintaining to supply NBA and WNBA players who embody the Mamba Type of mindset tradition.
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