A number of NBA licensees were hoping to sell Kobe Bryant memorial products around the NBA All-Star Game, but sources said the league is not permitting any such products, telling licensees all such plans were "on hold." An NBA spokesperson said, "At this point, the NBA has no plans to approve [Kobe memorial] products." Many industry sources suggested that the holdup was with Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, and estate, which had yet to countenance any memorial licensing of his name. Products including Lakers IP also would require an NBA license. One principal at a longtime NBA licensee said, "I can see their point of keeping distance and showing respect, but we are in the business of making fans happy, and the demand for Kobe product is there. Look at all the bootleg products out there." An exec at one of the largest sports collectible houses in the U.S. said, "The day after Kobe died was busier than any day (we) had the last holiday season." Panini VP/Marketing Jason Howarth, whose company has held Bryant’s memorabilia rights for around a decade, said, "When and if it's appropriate, we’ll do commemorative product. Now is not that time." One of, if not the only, officially licensed Bryant commemorative licensed products is a KB patch from Emblem Source for $8.24, which the Lakers are wearing on their jerseys. Lakersstore.com, the team’s e-commerce site, is restricting purchase of that and other Bryant merchandise to three per order, but cautioning they will not be available until March, after previously saying they would be available Feb. 14.
MORE TO COME: ESPN Magazine published a 96-page Kobe Bryant tribute issue ($14.99) and SI also has issued a commemorative magazine ($15.99). Each is running without ads. Many other publications have featured Bryant on their covers, or issued special editions, including People, the L.A. Times, and Time. Now the question is whether Bryant’s estate and the NBA will have product available in time to meet the demand that will be generated by the memorial service planned for Staples Center on Feb. 24. A senior exec at another large NBA licensee said, "You know there'll be people outside selling T-shirts then licensed or not. There have been after every Lakers home game."
