>> I think the definition of greatness is to inspire the people next to you,
>> NBA icon COVID been Brian, >> We try to handle things with great care.
You handle things with great care. You have no choice but to look at every single detail
>> Outlining his mindset, not just on his Hall of Fame, basketball career,
>> And I can do this, I do have talent other than
Dribbling and shooting the basketball. >> But is business acumen in
being more than a hooper? >> You gotta go with things that you understand,
businesses that you know, things that you can really get your arm around.
>> Outside of basketball, post retirement, Kobe was set to do big things. He was
nominated in one, an Oscar for his animated short film, dear basketball,
>> Are things in story inherently in story, that can help me be a better basketball player.
Be a better teammate, better leader, understand emotions better.
>> He wanted to impact lives through storytelling. Her one interview he gave to CBS News.
>> How can I use the influence that I currently have now? To build something, of value,
that won't dwindle over time. >> Bean opened a production
company. His influence was about to grow.
Then the tumultuous year in sports began back in January, with the helicopter crash,
in Calabasas California killing nine. It rocked the country, especially LA, where Kobe was king
and every basketball fan who watched his reign. What was revealed this past week was exactly
what the public was stripped of Kobe's endless pursuit of athlete empowerment.
With the black Mamba leading the way through a potential earth shattering transition.
>> I think most important technology companies in the world right now.
>> This is Shervin Pishevar. >> So we've closed a total of $85
million in new funding. He is a billionaire who was involved with Uber, and Airbnb to name a few.
The reason we bring up this wildly successful venture capitalist is because he Shervin Pishevar
broke this story. I met with Kobe Bryant in late December 2019. Kobe wasn't happy with Nike and was
going to leave it in 2020. Kobe was going to start Mamba, a shoe company owned by players.
He passed away weeks later. What he was about to do in business was going to
eclipse his sports career. These were the designs my team did to show him that day
for an independent Mamba shoe company. Here's the calendar details. There were
witnesses to the meeting and Kobe's plans like Gina Ford, who manages Usain Bolt.
Here's a closer look at the shoes, Shervin and his team proposed at their meeting in Newport Beach,
California. The snakeskin texture is an obvious pairing with Kobe Bryant's nickname.
To reiterate as hype these rope, when Pishevar and Bryant met back in December 2019 2019
Bryan was unhappy with the amount of marketing put behind his line citing a dip in shoe sales.
If Kobe left and would have ended an Uber successful 17 year relationship with swoosh.
Pat Benson who wrote ''Kobe Bryant sneaker history after years of reporting on the NBA,
and the sneaker industry told insider that it was very likely Bryant was prepared to leave Nike.''
In terms of eclipsing his sports career pitch of our points to the proposed tracker in the back.
Attached by a strong magnet, connecting the Mamba fitness app, and integrated
coaching and motivational features. Shervin closes this thread by saying,
wish we could do something to honor his vision of a player own shoe company.
It's surprising Kobe was allegedly set to leave well prevent and it's shocking
because Kobe was Nike's golden goose, and habitually told the company line.
Many of his fans were upset with Nike's handling of the signature
line following his retirement. It feels redeeming that Kobe was unhappy about
it too. It's certainly going to make things awkward with Nike in the future,
but it adds to the beautiful complexity of COVID, always pushing the envelope.
When asked specifically why Kobe was unhappy with Nike, Sherman replied he wasn't happy with Nikes
marketing and promotion commitment, to Kobe's line, and the sales of his shoes were anemic
and he blamed Nike. He retained tight control because he didn't trust Nikes judgment and design.
It's hard to explain how big of a disrupter Mambo would have been in the sneaker industry.
A player owned sneaker brand. It's a revolutionary idea that would have
put other major brands on their heels. In my eyes it would have been a successful launch,
and endeavor and of course, pinned to grades against one another. Once again Again,
MJ versus Toby. If you'd like to hear more thought provoking content like CYP sports
on Facebook and to help in my journey to keep Media Independent, go to TYT com slash Rick.