Vanessa Bryant, the widowed wife of Kobe Bryant has been managing the Mamba’s estate after his passing. She previously expressed disappointment over the limited releases and unauthorized productions of Gigi MAMBACITA and Kobe ‘Grinch’ 6’s. Despite the hiccups, the 41-year-old philanthropist and model has established a better relationship with Nike as the brand seemed to honor Kobe Bryant and continue his legacy through their heartfelt gesture.

After months of anticipation, Nike has announced the release of a new Kobe Bryant shoe, designed specifically for the WNBA All-Star Weekend. The WNBA All-Star Kobe 6 Protro arrives as a response to Vanessa Bryant’s wish for a better tribute to Kobe Bryant’s legacy. She had iterated that she “was hoping to forge a lifelong partnership with Nike that reflects my husband’s legacy,” in 2021 when Mambacita was released without her knowledge and Venessa had severed ties with Nike. But all of it seems to have been amended now.

Vanessa Bryant took to Instagram a on the 18th ago to give basketball fans and sneakerheads a peek at the upcoming release from the Kobe Line. She unveiled the collection, which features a striking colorway with bright pink and green accents. The Kobe 6 Protro draws inspiration from Bryant’s support for women’s basketball and his daughter’s aspirations in the sport. Design-wise, it includes faux reptile skin, a red foam midsole, and a durable rubber outsole, ensuring style and comfort.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the shoe also comes packed with technology. It includes advancements such as Nike’s Zoom Air cushioning, which offers responsiveness and comfort crucial for the fast-paced nature of basketball. Nike has not officially announced if this shoe will be available to the public. However, one thing is certain – these vibrant kicks will be worn by select athletes during the WNBA All-Star festivities in Phoenix.

The year 2024 has excited and disappointed sneakerheads, as Nike teased several highly anticipated Kobe shoes that remain unreleased. Among these are the Nike Kobe 4 Protro “Vino,” rumored to feature a sophisticated, wine-inspired colorway, and the “Valentine’s Day” edition, which Vanessa teased, featuring a romantic colorway of red, pink, and white. The “Job’s Not Finished” Kobe 4 Protro, inspired by Kobe Bryant’s famous quote remains unreleased too.

On Gigi’s 18th birthday, Vanessa Bryant shared another tribute for her late daughter. About a month and a half later, Nike paid tribute to the Bryants, with the release of the Kobe 4 Protro “Girl Dad.” Though hiccups have followed Venessa and Nike, the list carrying the ‘good side’ also doesn’t seem to have pulled a stop yet.

The Story Behind the Nike Kobe 4 Protro “Girl Dad”

The Nike Kobe 4 Protro “Girl Dad” pays heartfelt tribute to a courtside moment between Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. This sneaker, released on June 7, 2024, illustrated the deep bond between Kobe and his daughters. The design draws inspiration from a memorable image captured during a Lakers game, showing Bryant and Gianna enjoying the game together. This was one of their last public appearances before the tragic helicopter crash in January 2020.

The inner tongue of the shoe is printed with “Girl Dad,” and the vibrant orange insole mirrors the color of the WNBA hoodie Bryant wore during the game. The green accents represent the beanie Kobe was wearing, symbolizing his support for the WNBA. Despite its sleek and attractive design, the “Girl Dad”, packed with Nike’s signature tech, promises performance to the wearer.

After refusing to continue the contract with Nike in 2021, Venessa announced a few months later that the partnership was going to continue. That did not just arrive in the form sneaker releases but also as a collaboration to help the basketball community. She had revealed that Nike would work with her to develop “a youth basketball center in Southern California that will share the Mamba Mentality with youth athletes for generations to come.” 

Vanessa Bryant’s efforts have successfully paved the way for more meaningful tributes. While obstructions aren’t nill, the continued collaboration promises to uphold the survival of Kobe Bryant’s legacy as numerous would wish.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.