NBA

Vanessa Bryant calls out Nike over unauthorized ‘MAMBACITA’ shoes

Kobe Bryant’s widow Vanessa Bryant took swipe at Nike for allegedly releasing a signature MAMBACITA shoe that was never authorized for sale.

Vanessa and Kobe Bryant. (Getty)
Vanessa and Kobe Bryant. (Getty)

Vanessa Bryant is a true warrior. Not only he had to endure the tough loss of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and her daughter Gianna but also, he’s had to deal with multiple scandals over the past 12 months or so.

Advertisement

Bryant took the police officers who shared Kobe’s accident pictures. He had an altercation with her mother after she called the Bryant’s out for ‘not taking care of her’, and he even had to stay strong while inducting her late husband into the Hall of Fame.

Now, if things weren’t tough enough at the Bryant household, it seems like Nike has released a signature ‘MAMBACITA’ shoe designed by Vanessa Bryant that were never authorized for sale, prompting the widow’s anger.

Advertisement

Vanessa Bryant Blasts Nike Over Unauthorized Shoes

“This is a shoe I worked on in honor of my daughter, Gianna. It was going to be called the MAMBACITA shoe as an exclusive black and white colorway on her daddy’s shoes. I picked the colors in honor of her uniform, the number 2 she wore like her uniform, the inside pattern, Kobe and Gigi on the back instead of Kobe’s signature, the inside shoe details (butterfly, wings, halo), etc. The MAMBACITA shoes are NOT approved for sale. I wanted to be sold in honor of my daughters with all the proceeds benefitting our @mambacitasports foundation but I did not re-sign the Nike contract and decided not to sell these shoes. (The MAMBACITA shoes were not approved to be made in the first place). Nike has NOT sent any of these pairs to me and my girls. I do not know how someone else has their hands on shoes I designed in honor of my daughter, Gigi and we don’t. I hope these shoes do not get sold,” the widow wrote on Instagram.

If this is true, then Nike will definitely hear from Vanessa’s lawyers. This would be a huge deal, as Bryant decided not to renew her husband’s deal with the sports apparel company, not to mention it would be an all-time low move to make a profit from this.

Advertisement
ALSO READ
Where to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs live in the USA: 2025/2026 NBA regular season
NBA

Where to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs live in the USA: 2025/2026 NBA regular season

Duke’s Kon Knueppel gets shocking NBA Draft prediction after lottery
College Basketball

Duke’s Kon Knueppel gets shocking NBA Draft prediction after lottery

NCAAB News: Duke Blue Devils to make history in the 2025 NBA Draft
College Basketball

NCAAB News: Duke Blue Devils to make history in the 2025 NBA Draft

Where to watch Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks live in the USA: 2024 NBA regular season game
NBA

Where to watch Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks live in the USA: 2024 NBA regular season game

Better Collective Logo