Nike Relaunch Kobe Brand on Kobe Day 2023
News on this release was first published on June 30, 2023.
Update August 25, 2023: The Swoosh celebrated Kobe's birthday with the release of an upgraded Nike Kobe 8 'Halo', but that's not all. Nike are restocking a select handful of coveted colourways and collaborations including the Kobe 6 Protro in 'Grinch' and 'Mambacita Sweet 16'. The relaunch will also include the 2021 UNDEFEATED x Nike Kobe 5 Protro 'Hall of Fame' and the 2022 Nike Kobe 4 Protro 'Mambacita'. The release will be limited with a first-come-first-served selling strategy on SNKRS. They will be dropped randomly on the SNKRS app, but there is a rumoured release time of 8:24am PDT on August 24. Stay locked to SF for any further news.
John Donahoe revealed that are planning to relaunch the brand in 2023, the Nike CEO revealing the news during a 2023 fourth quarter earnings call.
Expected to launch on Nike Kobe Day (August 24), it's welcome news for Black Mamba fans and sneakerheads more broadly, after Kobe’s untimely passing threw the future of the partnership into doubt back in 2020. In 2022, Vanessa Bryant announced that the Nike Kobe line would continue, with the Kobe Bryant estate on a contract extension.
Shortly after the new deal was announced, the Swoosh announced the Nike Kobe 6 Protro ‘Mambacity Sweet 16’, paying homage to the life of Gigi Bryant.
It’s been nearly impossible for sneakerheads to track down a pair of Kobe Bryant’s signature shoes, so here's hoping things become a little easier moving forward.
Kobe Bryant retired from the NBA in 2016, with the Nike his sneaker swan song. The Kobe Brand later retooled the popular silhouettes, introducing the AD and Protro models (performance upgrades).