Nike pulled out all the stops for dads of daughters, dropping a new sneaker inspired by basketball legend and proud father of daughter Kobe Bryant one week before Father’s Day and just four years since the NBA star’s tragic death.
A courtside moment between Bryant and 13-year-old Gianna Bryant inspired the design of the Kobe 4 Protro, which was released on Friday.
The last public appearance of the father-daughter duo was at an NBA game, where they both sat courtside to watch the Los Angeles Lakers play against the Dallas Mavericks on December 29, 2019, according to reference by a FOX affiliate. They were both killed – along with seven others – in a foggy helicopter crash just outside Los Angeles about a month later.
The new Nike shoe is supposed to serve as a “meaningful rendition” of the close chivalric relationship Bryant shared with his daughter, displaying colors and a message that calls on the wearer to “celebrate the power of daddy’s girls everywhere,” according to with Nike.
Here’s what we know.
Nike’s ‘Girl Dad’ shoes sold out everywhere
It didn’t take long for sneakerheads and Lakers fans to get their hands on the limited edition shoe, which sold out on the day of its debut.
The Kobe 4 Protros retailed for $190 and was available at Nike SNKRS website and the app, as well as select retailers, according to reference from Sports Illustrated.
Since then, Nike has launched sneakers inspired by the late NBA star’s career in basketball. August 2023.
The Kobe 4 Protro has Kobe all over it, with a ‘Girl Dad’ printed on the inner tongue. They have an orange sole to represent his support of women’s basketball and the WNBA hoodie, and are a solid green like the color of the beech he was last seen wearing, according to Nike.
“The Kobe 4 Protro has been revamped for a more responsive feel underfoot, while the flexible foam midsole houses Zoom Air in the heel for added bounce to give you an extra step for an epic daddy-daughter showdown,” it says. Nike’s product description.
Sneakerheads in love with Nike’s ‘Girl Dad’ shoes
The lucky few who were able to snag a pair of the Kobe 4 Protro have been in love, gushing over the shoe and showing it off on social media. Others were upset that they couldn’t get a pair for themselves.