Remembering The Legendary Kobe Bryant

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Endorsements.

Source: http://ballislife.com

Even before Kobe started his NBA career, product managers were already eyeing him for endorsements. Kobe signed a 6-year contract with Adidas for $48 million before the 1996-97 season. His first signature shoe was the Equipment KB 8. Other earlier endorsements were with Coca Cola for the Sprite soft drink, McDonald’s, Upper Deck, Spalding, Nutella, and Kobe appeared in his own series of video games by Nintendo. But many advertisers backed off when the sexual assault allegations became public. The major exception was Nike, Inc., who signed him to a $40 – $45 million contract just before the incident. Well, Kobe denied the sexual assault charges, but admitted to an adulterous sexual encounter. Needless to say, the accusation tarnished Bryant’s reputation, and even as the assault case was soon dropped, it strained his marriage. Nike never left his side though, and continued to sign up new endorsements with the court superstar. Several other companies also started signing him up after the incident of the assault case.