The Mamba Sports Academy, a joint venture between Kobe Bryant and Sports Academy CEO Chad Faulkner, will change its name back to The Sports Academy. “Mamba” is, of course, part of the nickname Kobe gave himself, “The Black Mamba.”
Tuesday, Faulkner told ESPN’s The Undefeated, that there can only be one Kobe, and that’s what ultimately led to the decision to remove his name. “Our beliefs and thoughts are Kobe is one of one,” he explained, “‘Mamba’ is one of one.” The decision was mutual between TSA and Kobe Bryant’s estate, according to TMZ.
Faulkner also said, “And with that as we carry on as The Sports Academy, it’s more appropriate to put Kobe in another Hall of Fame, if you will, and to really respect a legacy that is really unrivaled, frankly, and let that live on its own. We will continue to do the work we do. We were fortunate to learn from Kobe. We will carry on much of those learnings that we have in a respectful way.”
The changes have already gone into effect, with The Sports Academy’s new website changed to sportsacademy.us, and social handles altered to @officialsportsacademy.
Check out their full statement posted on their IG.
