Lakers G Kobe Bryant's company, Kobe Inc., "has filed for various trademarks that are linked to his own marketing campaign for his final season," according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com. The business late last month "filed to trademark 'HeroVillain' and a 'HV' logo, which stands for hero/villain as well as a 'KB20' mark, symbolizing Bryant's 20 years in the NBA" with the Lakers. The intention of Kobe Inc. filing for the "HV" logo "is to use the mark for everything from trading cards and action figures to books and shot glasses." The logo "first appeared on Bryant's retirement poem, published on The Players' Tribune on Sunday, and distributed to fans at the Lakers game on Sunday." Limited quantities of gear with the "HV" and the "KB20" logo "were on sale at the Staples Center, but a more expansive selection of merchandise appeared on Bryant's official website" (ESPN.com, 12/2).
ENTER THROUGH THE MAIN GATE: In Indianapolis, Anthony Schoettle noted Bryant's retirement announcement "has meant big business" for locally based MainGate Inc., which "initially signed a deal to design, manufacture, and handle wholesale and Internet sales for a line of goods" celebrating Bryant’s 20th year in the league. MainGate also "designed and runs Bryant's overhauled web site, KobeBryant.com." The company at 7:30pm ET Sunday "dropped the curtain on the new site, featuring 30 Kobe-branded items from T-shirts and hoodies to beach towels and water bottles." MainGate President & CEO David Moroknek said, "The traffic to the site since Sunday has been unbelievable and sales have been really strong. And sales continue to be very strong." He said that the No. 1 sales item as of Tuesday afternoon "is a T-shirt designed and manufactured by MainGate at the 11th hour." Emblazoned on the shirt "is a statement by Kobe which reads: 'My love for this city, this team, and for each of you will never fade. Thank you.'" Bryant’s signature "is below the quote." Most of the items on the site "cost between $25 and $50." MainGate’s original deal with Kobe Inc. "has now been expanded into a multi-year deal" with the company "handling merchandising for the hoops star throughout his farewell NBA tour and at least through the early phases of his retirement" (IBJ.com, 12/2).
