As the NBA world continues to mourn the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, there was news that Nike made the decision to pull all items related to the icon from its online store. However, subsequent information reported Tuesday morning suggests that may not have exactly been the case.
Nike company sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday that all Kobe-related merchandise was made unavailable for purchase. Further, the company is said to be “reevaluating its ongoing strategy for releasing Bryant’s signature shoe series” in the wake of his passing, as relayed by Nick DePaula of ESPN.
The decision is believed to be inspired by Nike’s reluctance to allow resellers to stockpile Bryant merchandise and then sell it at a significant markup on the secondary market.
A search for Bryant merchandise on Nike’s online site redirects customers to an “In Memory: Kobe Bryant” page on the site. The only available item listed as related to the late superstar available from Nike as of Monday was Lakers logo gift card.
