Kobe Bryant Estate and Nike No Longer Partners

Nike's five-year, post-retirement deal with Kobe Bryant ended on April 13, 2021 and the estate of Bryant, in the hands of his wife Vanessa Bryant, has decided not to renew their contract with the shoe giant.

Statement from Nike: “Kobe Bryant was an important part of Nike’s deep connection to consumers. He pushed us and made everyone around him better. Though our contractual relationship has ended, he remains a deeply loved member of the Nike family.” https://t.co/eK3mWJ0iNi
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 20, 2021

There were plenty of rumors that Kobe was ready to end his relationship with Nike at the conclusion of this contract, with one of the sticking points being that he was not given a "lifetime" deal akin to Michael Jordan or LeBron James.

I met with Kobe Bryant in late December 2019. Kobe wasn’t happy with Nike and was going to leave it in 2020. Kobe was going to start Mamba, a shoe company owned by players. He passed away weeks later. What he was about to do in business was going to eclipse his sports career.
— Shervin Pishevar (@shervin) December 29, 2020

Kobe and Nike had a great run, and teamed up together starting in 2003 to create some of the most iconic basketball shoes ever. The marketing and promotions behind the shoes were also top notch. Check out some of the best Nike/Kobe commercials...