Facts About The Legendary Late Kobe Bryant You May Not Have Come Across Before

Once a Laker, Always a Laker

Kobe’s career could have taken many twists and turns, and the offers surely poured in, but he opted never to be traded, only playing for the Lakers, for over 20 seasons. Only a couple of names in history have been able to match or surpass that, including Kevin Garnett and Robert Parish, who have 21 seasons under their belt. Kobe was committed to the Lakers and needless to say, there are rumors that the logo may be changed to include his silhouette in the future.

Shoes and Style

Endorsement deals are a big part of any professional athlete’s career, and Kobe’s Nike deal involved creating his own line for the brand. The original design is based on soccer cleats, but his most popular design involved high top design. Low tops traditionally don’t protect you as well from ankle injuries, but Kobe’s shoes were engineered to perfection to ensure this wouldn’t be a problem like it was in the 1960’s. In 2014 his range made $105m, earning him around $8m a year for the twelve-year deal, which only ended with his unforeseen death in 2020.