NIKE PAYS TRIBUTE TO RETIRING BASKETBALL LEGEND KOBE BRYANT

Nike is paying tribute to brand ambassador, LA Lakers great Kobe Bryant, in a variety of ways. Bryant is playing the final game of his 20-year basketball career on Wednesday, April 13.

The sportswear giant has taken out an advertisement featuring many of the company’s brand ambassadors celebrating “Mamba Day,” including Tiger Woods, Odell Beckham Jr., Rory McIlroy, Serena Williams, LeBron James, and many more famous players from all different sports.

Nike fans can also give their final word to Bryant through Nike’s Mamba Day Generator, which overlays the user’s selected farewell phrase on a photo that can then be shared on social media.

Beginning today, a Nike Black Mamba Pack is available on eBay, featuring 13 one-of-a-kind hand-signed sneakers. The bidding will last for three days, and proceeds will benefit the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation.

Nike has also released a film called The Conductor, which shows how hate has manifested into respect and admiration for Bryant. It began with Nike athletes across multiple sports wearing black and gold shoes as a symbolic tribute to Bryant’s golden career fading to black. Cameos in the new film, directed by Mark Romanek and developed in partnership with Wieden+Kennedy Portland, include Hall-of-Fame coach Phil Jackson, 10-time All-Star and Los Angeles native Paul Pierce, former world champion Rasheed Wallace, a flustered Benny the Bull and passionate fans representing nine basketball teams.