Bryant's signature line with Nike was heralded in the industry for its advancements in design and innovationNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Nike said that its website "sold out of Kobe Bryant merchandise" in the wake of his death, "rebutting media reports that it had pulled the products," according to Khadeeja Safdar of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. A Nike spokesperson today said that the merchandise had "sold out and clarified the company didn't remove" Bryant's products or "ask retailers to send them back." Several media outlets "earlier reported Nike pulled the items to thwart buyers seeking to resell them at higher prices" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/28). ESPN.com's Nick DePaula wrote the Nike Kobe signature series has "long been heralded in the industry for its advancements in design and innovation," and his shoes have "already been worn by more than 100 NBA players." Nike "planned to launch a new celebratory colorway of the Kobe 5 Protro in the coming weeks, with the white, black and trophy gold edition slated for a Feb. 7 release." But sources said that the brand is "discussing whether to go forward with the release as planned or postpone the launch" (ESPN.com, 1/27).
PAYING THEIR RESPECTS: AD AGE's Alexandra Jardine noted Nike "honored Bryant in a tweet titled 'Mamba Forever,' since retweeted more than 80,000 times, hailing him as 'one of the greatest athletes of his generation'" (ADAGE.com, 1/27).
