It has been two years since Nike and Kobe Bryant’s estate parted ways after failing to reach an agreement on terms for a new contract.
Following the split, the resale market witnessed a surge in demand for Nike Kobe products, while the availability of new retail releases gradually declined until none remained scheduled for launch.
Recently, Nike and Vanessa Bryant reached a new agreement that would enable Kobe’s ongoing partnership with the company for the long term.
Since then, Nike has been extremely picky about the Kobe products it releases, limiting them to Kobe 4 and Kobe 6 retros inspired by Bryant’s late daughter Gigi, a crucial factor in Vanessa’s choice to rejoin Nike.
Earlier this year, there were rumors about the upcoming release of new Kobe sneakers, including one about an all-white Kobe 8 model that is said to coincide with Kobe Day on August 24.
“It’s going to be an exciting summer as we set the stage to relaunch the Kobe brand in advance of Kobe Day on 8.24,” said Nike CEO John Donahoe.
Nike plans to relaunch the Kobe line, indicating a renewed commitment to releasing Kobe products regularly. The upcoming holiday season will feature a new colorway for the Kobe 4, while NBA players already received an exclusive “Black History Month” edition of the Kobe 6 earlier this year.
