He wasn't playing though, so of course people weren't going to care and buy his sneakers.
His unfortunate death increase the hype and demand for his sneakers that wouldn't have been there otherwise. That's the entire point of the premise.
Vanessa Bryant did not renew Kobe’s Nike contract...Kobe & Nike are done for now at least
- Thread starter JordanWearinThe45
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He wasn't playing though, so of course people weren't going to care and buy his sneakers.
His unfortunate death increase the hype and demand for his sneakers that wouldn't have been there otherwise. That's the entire point of the premise.
I was saying from the get go that his shoes were doing well when he played and fell off after he retired
I was saying from the get go that his shoes were doing well when he played and fell off after he retired
What he was selling prior to retirement has nothing to do with the topic at hand.
His sneakers weren't selling after he retired and essentially became bargain bin sneakers. The hype got increased after his death. There was no way that they were going to give her a lifetime shoe deal when his sneakers weren't moving like that after retirement and before his death. Therefore that and other issues were the reason why she ended up breaking the terms of the deal.
Her throwing shots at Nike about the issue isn't going to change the fact that every sneaker company and release is plagued by shoes being released months in advance.
That's not what you were alluding to in your original post at all. You was alluding to LeBron having a lifetime deal because his shoes were doing better than Kobes but that's false. He got that deal he had leverage because his deal was going to expire during his prime and he had 10+ more years of superstardom whereas Kobe was going to be retired/close to retirement when his deal expired.
Of course Vanessa has no leverage, Kobe's earning potential after death is probably already at maximum, and any product she sells on her own will not be anywhere as successful as what Nike would do. She's overplaying her hand.
I made my point very clear in my post. Kobe's weren't selling prior to his death. His death and the combination of sneaker culture increased the demand and hype for his sneakers to new levels that wouldn't have been there otherwise.
Even Lebron's aren't even hyped like that and he's still playing in the league. Other athletes are the same case as well. Only certain Jordan sneakers are really the only basketball shoe that's hyped these days outside of the Kobe's which increased after his death.
Yeah Kobe's definitely weren't selling like that. There were hoopers that wore them, but overall they could always be found everywhere...especially at HoHs stores - every colorway, eventually to end up at outlets.
As for Vanessa, what did she think was gonna happen? The sneakers/colorway she designed was work for hire. It belongs to Nike, so eventually they are gonna get dropped. There's also the possibility that someone would have them before you, being that someone could take them straight off the production line, before Nike could officially ship to you. Nike doesn't care about Kobe's legacy, they're a company, and they're gonna focus on their bottom line, including profiting off of his death.
Hell, they'll still release Kobe's in the future under Nike Zoom "Prototype" or whatever they'll be called. See Chuck & Webber
As for Vanessa, what did she think was gonna happen? The sneakers/colorway she designed was work for hire. It belongs to Nike, so eventually they are gonna get dropped. There's also the possibility that someone would have them before you, being that someone could take them straight off the production line, before Nike could officially ship to you. Nike doesn't care about Kobe's legacy, they're a company, and they're gonna focus on their bottom line, including profiting off of his death.
Hell, they'll still release Kobe's in the future under Nike Zoom "Prototype" or whatever they'll be called. See Chuck & Webber
The Kyrie's had a little buzz for a while...but not to the fanfare that Jordans and even Pennys had.
What helped Kyrie's is that they were good basketball sneakers at a reasonable price compared to other player's shoes. People aren't out here trying to pay $200 for a non-Jordan that looked bulky and they couldn't wear in their daily life. You're slowly starting to see Nike and other companies realize that and starting to change the look to more lifestyle based.
I think that's the main reason why basketball shoes aren't selling like they used to. Kobe's increase in demand and hype for his is based on his unfortunate death. If that wasn't the case, then it'd be the same issue as other basketball players not named Jordan.
If the idea of the shoe was created during the terms of their original contract then she has no case. Unfortunately, it belongs to Nike. That's Business 101 when it comes to contracts.
Her best bet is to hope that the PR hit causes Nike to reconsider their decision. Even then, it's too late as the shoe is already out there and that's more than likely not even the only pair.
ALonelyDad
Veteran
He was weird in the memorial thread with this shyt too, he got some personal issues
Somebody got their hands on a sample.
