Kobe Bryant shoes, from a long partnership with Nike, are moving well – at elevated prices as Nike calls the shots on supply and demand.

After his death in a helicopter crash Jan. 26, 2020, Kobe shoes became more valuable and, now that his estate and Nike have ended their relationship, the prices are up again.

A story on theroot.com spells it out with its headline: “I Hope You Already Got That Pair of Kobe’s That You Wanted Because If Not, You’re About to Pay Stupid Prices For Them”

Last December, Nike re-released the Nike Kobe Zoom 6 Protro in the green apple/black/volt-crimson colorway.

The “Kobe Grinches” — green color and the additional red laces (Bryant wore the original version on Christmas Day 2010) — hadn’t seen a re-release since 2010. 

The Grinches retailed for $190. 

Bryant’s death drove up the demand — for the Grinches as well as all Kobe re-releases in 2021, and resale sites began moving Kobe shoes that had not been selling well for $300 to $400. 

With Kobe’s estate (led by his widow, Vanessa) and Nike unable to reach an extension, Nike is treating the product (Kobe shoes) as a business, limiting the amount and causing higher demand.

And The Root offers a first-person account: 

“I own a pair of 2020 Kobe Grinches. I did not get them at the retail price of $190; I really wanted them so I talked myself into paying $400 for them, which is insane but I really, really wanted a pair. Before the news of the estate moving on from Nike, the price was almost $500 on resale sites like StockX and GOAT.

“Now though? I’m currently looking at StockX and the prices for a size 10 in the Grinch colorway is at $680. I don’t see how it doesn’t keep going up.”

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