These days, love seems to be the thing connecting athletes across different sports—directly or indirectly. Just recently, social media went wild after actor Gary Hayes mentioned Vanessa Bryant in an Instagram post, sparking questions like, “Michael Phelps and Vanessa Bryant? 👀❤️ Y’all suspect something or nah?” The buzz started because Phelps shared his admiration for Vanessa, even though he’s very much a family man. Of course, this comes years after the heartbreaking loss of her husband, Kobe Bryant, and their daughter Gianna in the 2020 helicopter crash.

On January 17th, Michael Phelps shared a story on Instagram, expressing his gratitude for a thoughtful holiday gift from Vanessa Bryant. He received a pair of beautifully detailed red sneakers, featuring Black Nike branding and textured patterns typical of a premium edition. The holiday-themed ornament added a nice seasonal touch. Phelps posted a picture of the sneakers with the caption, “Thx @Vanessa Bryant and the fam.” Of course, this led to comments like, “Can’t believe,”  and now, weeks later, we’re starting to learn the real reason behind the post.

Well, it turns out it was just an advertising stunt! On February 5th, Complex Sneakers shared a post on X featuring a picture of a new Nike Kobe sneaker. The caption read, “Vanessa Bryant shows off a brand new Kobe 6 colorway,” and it turns out Vanessa herself had shared it on her Instagram. She posted five pictures of the unreleased Nike Kobe 6 Protro in the “Lilac” colorway. As of now, there’s no official release information, and Vanessa didn’t include a story or nickname for the kicks, which only adds to the intrigue. Now, you might be wondering, what’s the connection between Vanessa Bryant and Michael Phelps? It has all got to do with Kobe Bryant.

The impact of Kobe Bryant on Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps and Kobe Bryant may have excelled in different sports, but their shared mindset and approach to greatness show just how similar these two legends are. Last year, Phelps, holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy before the NBA Finals, spoke about how champions, like Kobe, do the right things every day. “Kobe is a role model for so many, but for me, he was a huge influence,” Phelps shared, his voice filled with emotion.

“Every time I think of him, it brings tears. He taught me so much, and everything I do every day is influenced by what he’s done.” The swimming icon’s words showed how deeply Kobe’s legacy impacted his life. Phelps recalled the ‘Mamba Mentality,’ saying, “The difference between being good and great is doing the things when you don’t always want to do them.” It’s this relentless drive, instilled by Kobe, that has shaped Phelps’ approach to life after sports.

Both Phelps and Kobe retired in 2016 on top of their games—Phelps with 28 Olympic medals, finishing his career with a gold in Rio, and Kobe with a 60-point farewell game in his final NBA match. Since retirement, Phelps has leaned on Kobe’s advice for navigating life beyond sports. “Kobe is someone I’ve been able to pick his brain about building a brand,” Phelps shared, noting that transitioning from sports to new ventures is a challenge. After retiring, Phelps has focused on water conservation and mental health advocacy, while also running his swimwear line, MP. Meanwhile, Kobe shifted his focus to investments and entertainment, co-founding Bryant Stibel and growing Granity Studios.

Their bond grew over time, and Kobe was one of Phelps’ biggest supporters, especially during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But When Kobe passed away it was a shocker to all. When Phelps’s wife heard this news she was crying but at the same time, her first thought was about her husband, Michael. The idea of losing him was unimaginable, and she couldn’t help but worry. Desperate to support him in any way she could, she turned to Phelps with a deeply emotional question.

“After Vanessa (Bryant) lost Kobe, all I could do was look at Michael and say, ‘Can we please help you? Because if I lose you, I don’t know what I’m gonna do.’ Michael is the most amazing father and partner I could have ever asked for,” she shared. Phelps, who has faced his struggles with mental health, acknowledged how Nicole’s love and support had been a source of strength for him. “Nicole loves me and wants to help. She wants me to get better. But she’s struggling herself. She needs that support as well. I know it’s hard for her,” he said, reflecting on the challenges they’ve both faced together. It’s so clear from their conversation just how close and supportive Michael and Kobe Bryant were, not just as athletes, but as people who truly understood each other.