2020 has been a difficult year. While a global pandemic has been both dangerous and drawn out, the devastation surrounding the death of Kobe Bryant was both crushing and abrupt.
As the world read tweets, received texts, and did all possible Googling to make sure the bad news was not true, the tragedy sadly had taken place. Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi, the pilot, and members of the Mamba Academy AAU family had all lost their lives in a helicopter crash on January 26th.
Laker loyalists and rival rooters alike mourned the loss of one of the game’s all-time greats with parents and people unattached to basketball feeling sorrow just the same. For fans of a certain city and age, Kobe was the GOAT and our MJ. For sneakerheads and player purists, Kobe was our Penny, pushing the envelope of innovation and persona on the court.
Prior to his passing, the demand for Kobes in both OG and Protro form came mostly from hoopers, Los Angeles locals, and fans in the Philippines. While models like the Nike Kobe 6, 7 and even 9 Low saw casual crossover, Kobe sneakers in their height were the one line that wasn’t chasing denim, living large on the court and in a true fan gear space.
Like his predecessors, MJ and Penny, the first round of retro Kobes didn’t sell out in a flash. Aside from UNDFTD collabs, the Nike Zoom Kobe 1 Protro introduced in 2018 and released through 2019 was discounted. Connecting more with consumers, the Nike Zoom Kobe IV Protro had stronger sell-throughs in 2019 but still maintained a mostly niche audience.
When considering the impossible task of buying Zoom Kobe V Protros in 2020 following Bryant’s passing, one must remember that Nike had already produced and allocated pairs a year prior in 2019 when sales weren’t so strong. Even a certified banger like the “Grinch” Kobe VI Protro would’ve likely been booked in September of 2019. Sure, pairs were meant to be limited, but not nearly intended to be as hard to get as they are now.
To make a sad story short, demand for Kobes exploded after his passing while supply for 2020 pairs had already been decided roughly a year prior.
So, what does 2021 look like for Kobe launches? Leaks already point to Kobe VI Protro pairs ranging from the red “All-Star” edition to “Think Pink” and “Del Sol” styles. Current stars like Ja Morant are already rocking their Kobe VI Protros on court, with Nike having the ability to increase allocations in 2021 based on outpour for Bryant in 2020. In 2021, it’s fair to assume that new Nike Kobes will still be hard to get but not near as difficult as 2020.
What remains to be seen is how other brands tied to Bryant’s career release product or pay tribute moving forward. In 2020, demand for Kobe products was at fever pitch but the idea of profiting off his passing was ugly on the aftermarket and a public relations quandary no one was ready for. Companies with existing relationships with Kobe like Mitchell & Ness and Spalding were able to eventually increase their production of throwback jerseys and commemorative basketballs to better feed fans.
For brands like Reebok with no official ties to Bryant but already had a Kobe Question PE planned to launch in 2020, they decided to delay the shoe’s release out of respect. Nike, Inc. brands like Jordan and Converse could release PE pairs from Kobe’s famed free agency to enormous fanfare but would still have to do right by the Bryant family. Things could be particularly dicey for former sponsors like adidas who’s history and strenuous separation are tough to put into posthumous products.
With the demand for anything and everything Kobe and the ability to do good, surely there’s a solution that’s good for all involved. Could the Kobe estate receive royalties from retro releases from non-Nike brands tied to his storied past? Could said sales from all brands banking of Kobe find a way to fund youth female basketball in Gigi’s honor? It’s a difficult conversation considering the pain from his passing and the layers of legalities.
In 2021, we’ll see plenty of Kobe VI Protro releases and surely an array of Mitchell & Ness jerseys. One would imagine that Kobe VII Protros will follow in 2022 and that Bryant’s brand will continue to grow and inspire generations to come.
2020 was a rough year for most and copping kicks was the least of anybody’s problems. Losing a legend still seems surreal and at times not being able to buy the shoes of our fallen hero felt like insult to injury.
Allocations will increase in 2021 and the Black Mamba and Mambacita legacy will continue to inspire in spirit which means more than sneakers. Here’s to hoping that both the brands and the buyers can keep the Kobe legacy and line alive with the same pursuit of passion and dedication to teaching the next generation that the Black Mamba lived by each day.
Game shots via Getty Images
Shoe shots via Nike, Frank Cooke, and Flight Club