Nike Details Vision for New Kobe Shoes Moving Forward

Any sneakerhead can tell you how difficult it has been to buy sneakers from Kobe Bryant's signature line. Over the past three years, loyal fans of the Los Angeles Lakers legend have had to deal with a seemingly never-ending saga that left Bryant's sneaker line in doubt.

However, there is reason for optimism. Over the past month, we have learned that Nike plans to relaunch the "Kobe Brand." Not only does this mean sneakers and apparel, but the University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team has been selected as the first "Mamba Program" in the NCAA.

The official relaunch of "Kobe Brand" takes place on Wednesday, August 23, at 10:00 a.m. EST. On what would have been Bryant's 45th birthday, fans will have a shot at purchasing the Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'Halo' on the Nike SNKRS website and app.

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In a social media post today, Nike offered fans context for the brand's decision-making process and vision for the future. "Partnering with Nike Basketball, Vanessa Bryant imagined and created the Halo colorway concept and launch as a way to honor Kobe's birthday each year. The Halo concept will be an annual release that will celebrate this special date."

Nike's statement continued, "From top to bottom. The Kobe Protro 8 'Halo' fuses the classic Kobe 8 silhouette and its engineered mesh upper with a React foam insole and timeless clad-white color blocking."

While this is exciting news, we will remain cautiously optimistic as there is already reporting that this will be an extremely limited release. If that is the case, athletes and fans must endure another painful day as they hope to purchase something to make them feel better about the tragic loss of their hero.

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