<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Nike is finally ready to drop its embattled spokesman Kobe Bryant, sources say. After months of negotiations, the sports apparel giant is said to have slipped out of its five-year, $45 million endorsement deal with the Lakers star accused of rape. Bryant's settled for a $1.5 million buyout, reporter Gina DeFranco told Los Angeles KIIS-FM host Rick Dees yesterday. We hear that reps for Nike and Bryant had a marathon negotiating session that went late into Saturday night in L.A. "Nike's not saying he's guilty, but he's supposed to represent a family man, at the very least," says a source. In July, Nike told us they were "pleased to have a relationship with Kobe Bryant. He is a great player." But yesterday, no one at the Portland, Ore.-based company would comment. Likewise, neither Bryant's agent nor his lawyer would return calls.</div>Full Article: http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/126636p-113381c.html Man, this is really hurting Kobe. He was the most marketable personality in the NBA...and now nobody wants anything to deal with him...rightfully so, though, since this is a business world. Its a shame but that's the way the cookie crumbles...
well...business is business...Nike took him in because he's one of the best endorsers...and the reason behind that is his clean-living reputation...and that he's a family man...his confession of adultery sure destroyed it...will he be the next MJ? in terms of endorsements, i don't think so...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting InNETSweTrust:</div><div class="quote_post">well...business is business...Nike took him in because he's one of the best endorsers...and the reason behind that is his clean-living reputation...and that he's a family man...his confession of adultery sure destroyed it...will he be the next MJ? in terms of endorsements, i don't think so...</div> man i dont think that was right what you said about kobe and mj. yeah they might have made a mistake but so what everybody aint perfect. beside mj didnt get charged for raping anybody so it aint no next MJ.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Baller08:</div><div class="quote_post">man i dont think that was right what you said about kobe and mj. yeah they might have made a mistake but so what everybody aint perfect. beside mj didnt get charged for raping anybody so it aint no next MJ.</div>He said Kobe ain't gonna be the man Jordan was, in terms of indorsements. There is no denying that. Kobe screwed himself.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe screwed himself.</div> Just himself? In a way its a good idea because he has ugly shoes anyways. Plus hes already cheated on his wife and that looks bad.
He was not the most marketable personality in the NBA, that was well documented. Questions were always asked on why he could not sell shoes and why "thugs" did not tend to him. He won't find love from either side now, which is why in my opinion, Nike axed him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ice Breaker:</div><div class="quote_post">Just himself? In a way its a good idea because he has ugly shoes anyways. Plus hes already cheated on his wife and that looks bad.</div>Definately a smart and obvious move by NIKE.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">He was not the most marketable personality in the NBA, that was well documented.</div>I disagree on this. Yes, his shoes did not sell...but that was because they sucked. A sports figure can't get endorsements from such companies as McDonalds, Sprite and Spalding without being special. Hell, he even had his own video games. Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the last person to have their own video game...MJ? Back in April, the NBA announced that Kobe was the #1 selling jersey in the league, beating AI, TMac & MJ respectively. Kobe was painted as the NBA's golden boy. He had the charm, the rings, the smile, the persona...no thugged out tattoos...lots of things that are reminescent of Jordan. And to top that off, he's in one of the most marketable cities in the nation. But now, all of that has changed. He now sports some (narsty) tattoos...and if you watched the Nickelodean Awards, his style was changed up just a bit. His black t-shirt that made a reference to Malcolm X and his bling-bling cross...all of this was probably in hopes of gaining street credibility. I'm not so sure if that's gonna work. One thing I do agree with, KJ, is that he will have trouble appealing to either side now.
He is definetely going in the other direction now. I can't envision Kobe like that. All "thugged " out and whatnot. It's a wrong way for him to go especially with the case and everything. Nike made a good business move, but not a good personal and respective move. Let's see who he goes to next, probbaly Reebok or And 1. Since he left Adidas and now Nike doesn't want him. Him going to Jordan is weird, with Michael there and everything. Plus, if I'm not mistaken some parts of the Jordan brand are still owned by the Nike brand. Thus Nike would not allow any partnership with him. Who knows!
Nike is denying these reports, and it is the NY Times we are talking about, so lets give it a few days/weeks.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Nike is denying these reports, and it is the NY Times we are talking about, so lets give it a few days/weeks.</div> naw man its true about all of this cause i heard it on the radio and find out on the nba web site so its all true but i think will get another contract with someone else though.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Baller08:</div><div class="quote_post">naw man its true about all of this cause i heard it on the radio and find out on the nba web site so its all true but i think will get another contract with someone else though.</div> "yeah ok dude"
Nike will likely make a decision during or after the trial. If Kobe is innocent a lot of people will be forgiving and will forget about the entire ordeal. Once the media stops running with this story people will not talk about it anymore, and we will have to wait for an ESPN Outside the Lines story on the Rise and Fall of Kobe 10 years down the line.
If kobe wont go to jail evreyone will forget about it and he defently wont go to JAIL!!! Kobe should sign win And1!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BAKAJ:</div><div class="quote_post">If kobe wont go to jail evreyone will forget about it and he defently wont go to JAIL!!! Kobe should sign win And1!!!</div> i hope that will be the outcome though but he should sign with And1 maybe he will come out with a better shoe
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BAKAJ:</div><div class="quote_post">If kobe wont go to jail evreyone will forget about it and he defently wont go to JAIL!!! Kobe should sign win And1!!!</div> Actually no,there will still be alot of people who thought he did it if he doesn't go to jail....Kobe has ruined his career no matter if he is guilty or not..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting allnet:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually no,there will still be alot of people who thought he did it if he doesn't go to jail....Kobe has ruined his career no matter if he is guilty or not..</div>I agree. You have to be stupid to think that our justice system is perfect.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting allnet:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually no,there will still be alot of people who thought he did it if he doesn't go to jail....Kobe has ruined his career no matter if he is guilty or not..</div> Yes he did. The truth will be bound to come out, Pel. Hearing continues today at 2:30 ET
even if he's not guilty, adultery is :thumbsdow ..and he admitted to it... and yes, i was talking about endorsements...he has the making of the next MJ or Grant Hill of endorsements...but, he surely destroyed that chance...
