Kobe Bryant will forever remain in the hearts of his fans irrespective of the sport they follow. He had an impact on everybody who knew him, even if they did not witness him play in the NBA. These days, people find new ways to honor the Black Mamba. Murals of him and Gianna and statues of them have been popping up in the streets of LA.
The 18x All-Star spent 20 years in the league and dominated the floor without showing signs of decline. Bryant always had his head in the game and was determined to come out successful in every aspect of life. He worked relentlessly to inspire the masses and help elevate women and children in sports. With him no longer with us, his wife, Vanessa Bryant has been trying to help carry his legacy.
“Haters are a good problem to have. Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones.”
– Kobe Bryant
pic.twitter.com/bcZjd9Ycm2— Kobe Highlights & Motivation (@kobehighlight) August 23, 2023
It all started with a brief fued between her and one of Kobe Bryant’s endorsers, Nike. Following his death, the sports brand released a tribute shoe in honor of Gianna. However, Vanessa claimed that they weren’t authorized to do so, ultimately leading her to terminate Nike’s partnership with the Bryant Estate. After realizing the love and support Gianna’s tribute shoe received, she decided to sign a new deal with Nike.
Kobe Bryant Nike Proto 8 will feature five color variants
For context, Kobe Bryant passed away in a tragic helicopter crash on January 26, 2023. Unfortunately, Gianna Bryant and seven other individuals were also involved in the tragedy. Two years after his death, Vanessa finalized a deal with Nike in March 2022. Both parties have been working tirelessly to continue Kobe’s iconic signature line of shoes and sportswear. His Proto signature shoes were one of the iconic releases made by Nike and fans got a taste of another edition.
The legacy continues.
The Kobe Protro 8 ‘Halo’ marks the continuation of a storied legacy, pairing a triple white colorway with the iconic Kobe 8 silhouette, embodying the timelessness of an icon never forgotten.
Arriving globally August 23 in SNKRS. Download the App to get… pic.twitter.com/Lr0WS4DlKM
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) August 10, 2023
Kobe Bryant was born on August 23, 1978. In honor of celebrating his birthday, Nike and Vanessa teamed up to produce the Nike Kobe Proto 8, the newest addition to the sneaker line. The shoes will be available in five color variants Halo, White/Metallic Gold, Triple White, Court Purple, and Radiant Emerald. Three of these variants will be released during the summer of 2024. Each pair will cost around $180 in the United States.
Recently, Nike and Vanessa selected Kentucky Men’s Basketball as the first college to be sponsored by the Mamba Program. The Wildcats will be given customized shoes and apparel to wear throughout the upcoming college basketball season. It was revealed that other basketball programs will be included in this project soon.