NBA Rumors: Shocking Details Of Kobe Bryant's Plan To Leave Nike Revealed

An investor unfolded never-before-heard information about his last meeting with Kobe Bryant, which apparently involves the NBA icon’s plan to end his partnership with Nike.

Nike has played a significant role in Bryant’s illustrious NBA career. However, Iranian-American capitalist Shervin Pishevar recently revealed that the late player had told him about leaving the brand “weeks” before the Los Angeles Lakers legend’s tragic death.

According to Pishevar, Bryant has told him about how “unhappy” he was with Nike and he planned to start his own shoe company called “Mamba.”

“I met with Kobe Bryant in late December 2019,” Pishevar tweeted. “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.”

Apparently, Bryant wasn’t too pleased with the sales of his Nike shoes and how it is being marketed by the world-renowned brand. Pishevar also noted that the five-time NBA champ did not see eye to eye with Nike in terms of “design.”

“He wasn’t happy with Nike’s marketing and promotion commitment to Kobe’s line,” the businessman added. “And the sales of his shoes were anemic and he blamed Nike. He retained tight control because he didn’t trust Nike’s judgment in design.”

To further add weight to his bold claims, Pishevar leaked a series of images showing the prototype shoe he and his team presented to Bryant.

Along with the shoe designs, Pishevar also included a photo of the deceased basketball superstar together with sports agent Gina Ford, whom he named as one of the “witnesses” of the said meeting.

“These were the designs my team did to show him that day for an independent Mamba shoe company,” he revealed. “Here’s calendar details. There were witnesses to the meeting and Kobe’s plans like Gina Ford, who manages Usain Bolt.”

Prior to Pishevar’s shocking revelations, Nike had previously released a statement reassuring fans that they will be committed to continuing the legacy of Bryant.

“One of Kobe’s enduring legacies are the products that he created with Nike,” Nike wrote in a statement in August. “Bryant was a driving force behind each shoe’s creation, guiding Nike’s design and innovation teams to make the best product possible. Kobe’s relentless pursuit of perfection is credited by many throughout the Nike design community for making them better at what they do.”

"Nike will continue to release Kobe Protro shoes, allowing the millions of fans he inspired around the world to keep Bryant’s legacy going,” the company added. “Nike will also continue to work with the NBA to release limited quantities of Bryant’s iconic Los Angeles Lakers jersey.”