Kobe Bryant Reportedly Explored the Possibility of Starting a Sneaker Company

Kobe Bryant always searched for more. Whether on or off the court, the Mamba strived for greatness in every aspect. According to a set of Tweets, Bryant explored the possibility of leaving Nike and starting his own sneaker company.

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 (@shervin) December 29, 2020

Kobe Bryant met with Shervin in late December of 2019, according to Shervin. Bryant was reportedly exploring the idea of starting Mamba, a shoe company owned by players.

Darren Rovell, a former ESPN Sports Business Analyst, responded to the Shervin’s statements in a Tweet and later with an exclusive quote to Nice Kicks about the meeting.

Can we chill with this? Kobe, like all athletes, was willing to explore at the end of a deal. He took a damn pitch meeting. The shoe wasn’t his shoe idea. That’s all it was. Let’s not make this like it was a far down the road project. It wasn’t. https://t.co/E0ImF4CWWl

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 29, 2020

It was a pitch meeting. He was exploring his options, He wasn’t far along in separating from Nike. That’s garbage. [what Shervin said was] unfair. He [Kobe] doesn’t deserve to be dragged when he can’t defend himself. It’s sad enough that he’s not here with us.

Darren Rovell