What up, family. Hope your week is going well! I don’t know about you all, but I’m still sort of reeling from the news yesterday of the break between Kobe Bryant’s estate and Nike.
I’m still formulating my thoughts for Friday’s newsletter. But ultimately, I think this is good. At the very least Bryant’s line needed a hard reset with Nike — these drops have been nothing but chaos.
What do you all think happens next? We’ve seen a number of signs that they might be going the independent route. Is that feasible? And how do you feel about the break-up with Nike?
While it is sad, I can say that I'm content with this happening. It should have happened sooner honestly. The drops have been horrible to try to obtain. I think there won't be any kobes for a couple of years but I can see Nike reuniting with them down the line. I think Nike needs to get their things in order and take a step back and figure out how to honor Kobe and his legacy the right way because what they are doing now isn't working. no one is happy about Kobes drop except resellers and it shouldn't be that way but it is unfortunately.
This breakup is all on Nike, which stuck to exclusivity (and bottom line) versus democratizing the brand (and products) of a legend and icon. Knowing that Vanessa and the estate was trademarking a lot of names (MAMBA, MAMBACITA, etc.) shows that (a) the sky is the limit for a more attainable (and hopefully affordable) line of Kobe and Gianna themed products and (b) Nike had an opportunity to pay respect and focused more on $$$.
What I'm curious about here is, would the estate partner with a smaller footwear brand (or a startup, even?) to develop their own lines? I also would LOVE to see a plot twist where Big Baller Brands somehow comes back from the dead. (Kidding...I hope.)
Just to play devils advocate...if Nike did stick to the bottom line they would make MORE shoes to make more money. Many of the footwear trademarks were filed in October 2020, the estate was already planning their move a year ago. From the estate's POV if they want to sell more shoes they can do it themselves and cut out the middleman, making more money. It's a smart business move.
Kobe was exploring leaving Nike before his passing. The estate trademarked shoes and apparel for Mamba, 8, 24, Gigi, and more. The estate is planning on doing their own thing to reach their goals for Kobe's legacy and cut out the middle man, aka Nike. I'm confused by narrative that it was all Nike's fault. Federer left Nike for co-ownership potential with On, if the estate can reach their goals and make more money, it's a win-win for them, and a good move. What I'm interested in is how Nike treats the shoes. Will they be like Adidas and keep selling them without Kobe's name attached?
I wouldn't say I believe Nike is "at fault " for this. Sometimes, contracts just fall through. Sides can't agree to terms and they move on. It is what it is.
But I think it goes without saying that this is a bit disappointing. Especially after seeing how the year has gone. At the end of the day, I feel like this is probably a good thing for all sides involved.
I’d love to get an insight into the mood at Nike on this. They can’t be happy and I can only guess they were arrogant and thought they’d call the family’s bluff. Full respect to Vanessa and the Bryant estate for sticking to their vision and honouring Kobe they way they want to - with fans at the heart of it.
I just can't see how this makes any sense with anyone other than Nike. Kobe deserves a lifetime deal and Nike should have made that happen. Perhaps Vanessa leverages this in a Reebok buyout? Or, NB finds a way to incorporate Kobe's story into their revitalized basketball line. I dunno man, it sucks.
I think it actually works out pretty well for the estate. They have options. They could go the licensing route and work with a number of brands. They could also just make their independent thing pop off. They could do both!
But, yeah. I feel like Kobe certainly deserves a lifetime deal considering how important his line obviously is to so many now, despite the unfortunate circumstances.
Kobe has been unhappy for a while. If you look at the way they treated recent drops before he passed (like he was second rate) AND what's happened since with the lack of product in no way does it reflect what he wanted. He wasn't one to complain and made sure he completed his contractual obligations. As a fan it sucks to know they won't release any new colorways or re-release any previous ones, but to have them put out products that he wouldn't have fw or liked the method they did is a disservice to his legacy. We all know they handled the drops the way they did for a reason and that alone is just cause enough for me to agree with Vanessa's decision. I hope she starts the brand he wanted to.
Another thing to consider with this: NBA players do NOT seem to be very happy with this decision.
https://twitter.com/hmfaigen/status/1384969610282344452?s=19
While it is sad, I can say that I'm content with this happening. It should have happened sooner honestly. The drops have been horrible to try to obtain. I think there won't be any kobes for a couple of years but I can see Nike reuniting with them down the line. I think Nike needs to get their things in order and take a step back and figure out how to honor Kobe and his legacy the right way because what they are doing now isn't working. no one is happy about Kobes drop except resellers and it shouldn't be that way but it is unfortunately.
100%. Nice take - agree. A lot going on at Nike right now that just isn’t ‘right’
Exactly why this is probably a good thing for all sides IMO
This breakup is all on Nike, which stuck to exclusivity (and bottom line) versus democratizing the brand (and products) of a legend and icon. Knowing that Vanessa and the estate was trademarking a lot of names (MAMBA, MAMBACITA, etc.) shows that (a) the sky is the limit for a more attainable (and hopefully affordable) line of Kobe and Gianna themed products and (b) Nike had an opportunity to pay respect and focused more on $$$.
What I'm curious about here is, would the estate partner with a smaller footwear brand (or a startup, even?) to develop their own lines? I also would LOVE to see a plot twist where Big Baller Brands somehow comes back from the dead. (Kidding...I hope.)
Just to play devils advocate...if Nike did stick to the bottom line they would make MORE shoes to make more money. Many of the footwear trademarks were filed in October 2020, the estate was already planning their move a year ago. From the estate's POV if they want to sell more shoes they can do it themselves and cut out the middleman, making more money. It's a smart business move.
Kobe was exploring leaving Nike before his passing. The estate trademarked shoes and apparel for Mamba, 8, 24, Gigi, and more. The estate is planning on doing their own thing to reach their goals for Kobe's legacy and cut out the middle man, aka Nike. I'm confused by narrative that it was all Nike's fault. Federer left Nike for co-ownership potential with On, if the estate can reach their goals and make more money, it's a win-win for them, and a good move. What I'm interested in is how Nike treats the shoes. Will they be like Adidas and keep selling them without Kobe's name attached?
I wouldn't say I believe Nike is "at fault " for this. Sometimes, contracts just fall through. Sides can't agree to terms and they move on. It is what it is.
But I think it goes without saying that this is a bit disappointing. Especially after seeing how the year has gone. At the end of the day, I feel like this is probably a good thing for all sides involved.
I’d love to get an insight into the mood at Nike on this. They can’t be happy and I can only guess they were arrogant and thought they’d call the family’s bluff. Full respect to Vanessa and the Bryant estate for sticking to their vision and honouring Kobe they way they want to - with fans at the heart of it.
I just can't see how this makes any sense with anyone other than Nike. Kobe deserves a lifetime deal and Nike should have made that happen. Perhaps Vanessa leverages this in a Reebok buyout? Or, NB finds a way to incorporate Kobe's story into their revitalized basketball line. I dunno man, it sucks.
I think it actually works out pretty well for the estate. They have options. They could go the licensing route and work with a number of brands. They could also just make their independent thing pop off. They could do both!
But, yeah. I feel like Kobe certainly deserves a lifetime deal considering how important his line obviously is to so many now, despite the unfortunate circumstances.
Business is Business, but this sucks.
Kobe has been unhappy for a while. If you look at the way they treated recent drops before he passed (like he was second rate) AND what's happened since with the lack of product in no way does it reflect what he wanted. He wasn't one to complain and made sure he completed his contractual obligations. As a fan it sucks to know they won't release any new colorways or re-release any previous ones, but to have them put out products that he wouldn't have fw or liked the method they did is a disservice to his legacy. We all know they handled the drops the way they did for a reason and that alone is just cause enough for me to agree with Vanessa's decision. I hope she starts the brand he wanted to.