Nike Announces Kobe Bryant Brand's Return; Kobe 8 'Halo' Scheduled to Drop on Aug. 23

Kobe Bryant's iconic Nike shoe line is set for a comeback.

Nike and Vanessa Bryant announced the company will begin releasing new Bryant shoes on Aug. 23, with the Kobe 8 "Halo" being first to hit the market.

This will mark the first release under the Kobe name since the late Los Angeles Lakers legend's contract with Nike expired in April 2021. Nike and Bryant's estate reached a new licensing agreement in March 2022, which will allow the apparel giant to re-release the eight models made during Bryant's career, along with six releases after his 2016 retirement.

Nike also agreed to release apparel in honor of Gigi Bryant, the daughter of Kobe and Vanessa who was among the nine people who died in the January 2020 helicopter crash.

Kobe Bryant's signature shoe has been the most popular in the NBA for years, with the release being credited for popularizing the lowtop. Around 70 percent of NBA players wear Nike shoes during games, with about 45 percent of players wearing Kobes for at least one game from April 2021 until April 2022, according to Aaron Dodson and Nick DiPaula of Andscape.