Kobe scandal leaves Nike with real beef; Is Nike trying to make a fast break from Kobe Bryant

NY Daily ^ | 07-27-03

[Brian S]

BENCHED? We hear that Nike may drop Kobe Bryant as a spokesman and has scrapped plans for a signature shoe.

Is Nike trying to make a fast break from Kobe Bryant? We hear that lawyers for the sportswear giant have been exploring how the company might slip out of the five-year, $45 million deal it signed with the three-time NBA champion before he was charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old ex-cheerleader in Colorado.

Nike has scratched plans - at least for now - for a Kobe Bryant signature shoe, a source tells us.

"Nike sees him as damaged goods," says the insider, who has been privy to meetings Bryant and his lawyers have had with the company's execs in the last week.

Bryant says he is innocent of assaulting his accuser - who, according to police, was hospitalized for "a mental-health issue" four months before the alleged attack. But even if he is cleared of all charges, the hoop star has admitted to cheating on his wife, Vanessa.

"He was supposed to be the Mr. Clean of the NBA," says the source. "They contend that he's violated his contract's morality clause."

Nike stuck with Michael Jordan even after it came out that His Airness had cheated on his wife, Juanita, with Karla Knafel. (Last month, a judge threw out her breach-of-contract lawsuit against Jordan, saying he didn't have to pay her $5 million in hush money.)

"Kobe is furious about Nike's attitude so far," says the source. "There will probably be some compromise. They'll have him promote clothes or something."

Bryant's lawyer and manager didn't return calls.

A spokesman for Nike said it was standing by its statement, issued early last week, that the company is "pleased to have a relationship with Kobe Bryant. He is a great player."

[The Brush]

Yea but she gets to keep it after she dumps him because it was a gift.

[af_vet_1981]

In the case of OJ, we had overwhelming evidence. We had DNA match, we had a history of previous violence against his ex-, we had the gloves, we had his actions following the crime. We also had a travesty of a court,

He was acquitted, not guilty in a court of law, and by your standards he should still be milking the cow for money.

and the 'help' of a policeman who wasn't content merely gathering existing evidence, he had to invent some.

I'm not familiar with "invented" evidence. Can you source this ?

This is a totally different case. And, the final point is .... OJ actually got a trial. Kobe has yet to get that basic right.

Kobe has received all his rights, and will continue to do so. It is the rights of the rape victim that are in question here.

Now, let's get some personal things straight. I don't know Kobe, I don't follow and couldn't possibly be more apathetic about any sport. My concerns apply equally to Kobe, as they would to anyone walking down the street.

There is nothing straight in your claim. It doesn't correlate with the intensity of your other comments. One way or another you have skin in the game else you would not have been so engaged. Whatever it is, it is personal.

[Hodar]

Now he's paying the price of his admitted discretion (and who knows, maybe he actually IS a rapist.)

No, he's paying the price of being accused of a crime. Does every player who is accused of screwing around lose endorsements? No, that is reserved only for the one's accused of raping a woman. Granted, if he had been honorable, this wouldn't be an issue. But, as this is now going; he's going to lose everything for a crime he may, or may not have committed.

Now, if he is a rapist; I have no problem with introducing him to Ol' Sparky; as this is a very heinous crime. But, Google will show you hundreds of people who have been found to have been wrongfully charged with rape. This is one of the crimes in which a man is automatically assumed to be guilty, and must prove his innocence. I have a problem with that.

[najida]

Dang right she will!

[joesnuffy]

Nike shoes.........
Faster than a squirmin virgin

Speedier than a fleeing
cheerleader

[MissEdie]

Hey, at least he has "Street Cred" now.

[Hodar]

He was acquitted, not guilty in a court of law, and by your standards he should still be milking the cow for money.

Please do not put words in my mouth. I have NEVER said that, nor inferred that. To accuse me of that is patently unfair. I believe any reasonable person can see that OJ was guilty, and got away with murder due to his celebrity status, expensive defense team, inept prosecutors and a cop that planted evidence.

I'm not familiar with "invented" evidence. Can you source this ?

Do your own homework here... Fuhrman later 'found' socks with OJ's blood on them, as well as several other 'items' after his home, after the police report that it had been searched. This is the primary reason so much evidence was thrown out.

It doesn't correlate with the intensity of your other comments. One way or another you have skin in the game else you would not have been so engaged. Whatever it is, it is personal.

Reading the intensity of the arguements is something YOU bring to the party. I personally do not care if we are talking about Kobe, Bill Cosby, Clinton or my next door neighbor. In cases like this, the accuser gets the right to complete anonymity; but the accused is held up for public disdain (whether guilty, or innocent). I think this double standard is wrong. I think if the accusor's identity can be kept secret, so should the accused. As this situation is currently placed, the accusor has total control. She gets to remain anonymous, she can either place charges, or release them at her will. Under no condition is she held accountable; even if the jury finds that the sex was consentual. You have given the female the right to extort any male, for any crime, at any time, and with no redress. I think that is wrong; and a simple Google search will confirm that this has been historically abused many, many times.

[Argus]

Nothing says "I'm sorry" quite like a $4 million dollar purple diamond.

[Dante3]

Buyig that ring was an incredibly stupid thing to have done. Where were his lawyers?

[mountaineer]

Phil Knight invoking a morality clause against anyone is one of those "bizarro world" moments.

[af_vet_1981]

Please do not put words in my mouth. I have NEVER said that, nor inferred that. To accuse me of that is patently unfair.

You wrote:

My only concern at this point, is that Kobe is suffering a financial loss simply by being accused of a crime. He has NOT been tried, he has merely been accused. We can all be accused of any crime, whether we did it, or are completely and totally innocent; at any time. Whatever happened to that annoying little phrase "Innocent, until PROVEN guilty"?

1. You were concerned about Kobe's financial loss.
2. The only loss I know of is the $4,000,000 he spent on hush money to Vanessa and whatever legal fees he incurred.
3. He has not been "PROVEN guilty" [emphasis yours] so I infer that unless someone accused of a crime is "proven guilty" you are concerned with their financial loss.
4. Since you have assiduously assured us that your concern is not for Kobe personally, but for every man and woman on the street, I must conclude your concern applies to ...
   OJ and William Jefferson Clinton, both of whom have been accused of crimes, not been "PROVEN guilty," and suffered financial loss.

In summary,
He was acquitted, not guilty in a court of law, and by your standards he should still be milking the cow for money.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

..'Just DON'T do it'..!!!

[OldFriend]

Great player???????????????LIAR CHEATER is more like it!

[OldFriend]

Maybe Kobe can buy they a $4million dollar diamond and they'll kiss and make up!

[Hodar]

You were concerned about Kobe's financial loss.

Yes, Kobe (or any other person) is losing money in that deals that were in place, are being postponed. Time equals money, so a statement that he is presently incurring lost income is factual. At this point in time, he is simply 'accused'.

The only loss I know of is the $4,000,000 he spent on hush money to Vanessa and whatever legal fees he incurred

What he gives his wife, is between the two of them. Frankly, I don't care. Legal costs for Kobe is natural and normal in any case.

I infer that unless someone accused of a crime is "proven guilty" you are concerned with their financial loss.

And you would be correct. If you are accused of shoplifting, are you automatically fired from your job? Do you forfeit stock options, stocks or funds? No.

I must conclude your concern applies to ... OJ and William Jefferson Clinton, both of whom have been accused of crimes, not been "PROVEN guilty," and suffered financial loss.

And you would be correct here in your assertation, but not your facts. OJ was found guilty in a civil case for wrongful deaths; and sued for tens of millions. IMHO, due to the fact that so much evidence had been tampered with, the jury could NOT conclude that he had been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in that the altered evidence presented a doubt that any evidence gathered by the LAPD (or anywhere near Mr. Mark Fuhrman) was credible. (Gee, thanks alot there Fuhrman!). Clinton was found guilty and disbarred as well as impeached. Now, punishment and shame after the trial is fair and just. However, shame, innuendo and monetary loss simply due to an accusation is unfair. Especially when the accusor gets the priviledge of remaining anonymous; and will not be held accountable for any misdeeds. If the jury decides that Kobe (you, me, or any other accused person) is innocent, and the whole charge was created for revenge; the woman historically will get away with it. Again, a simple search on Google will find you hundreds of examples on this.

What infuriates me, is when a faceless, nameless accusor has the power to destroy another's life, income and dreams; with no checks and balances. It wasn't that long ago that dozens of innocent men and women were sentenced to jail for "sticking swords through the heads of children" in a daycare. It was later found out that the prosecutor had manipulated the children into making statements of abuse and neglect. But, how many innocent people had their lives ruined, because "a child never lies"? I don't like repeating stupid mistakes; I want the facts before inflicting the punishment.

[af_vet_1981]

Do your own homework here... Fuhrman later 'found' socks with OJ's blood on them, as well as several other 'items' after his home, after the police report that it had been searched. This is the primary reason so much evidence was thrown out.

I see you have bought the Dream Team Defense's argument.

[af_vet_1981]

What infuriates me, is when a faceless, nameless accusor has the power to destroy another's life, income and dreams; with no checks and balances.

Perhaps you have been hurt badly by someone else's claims. Don't transfer your anger to other victims. Anyone who bears false witness to incriminate another is a perp deserving of the same punishment they would unjustly cause a victim.

[Chantal]

Whatever happened to that annoying little phrase "Innocent, until PROVEN guilty"?

Where there's smoke there's fire.

He's not 100% innocent, he's an adulterer.

[Chantal]

I wonder if Kobe's wife thinks he's guilty of anything important?

Kobe's wife has been silenced, she's been bought off.

[dennisw]

Nike stuck with Michael Jordan even after it came out that His Airness had cheated on his wife, Juanita, with Karla Knafel. (Last month, a judge threw out her breach-of-contract lawsuit against Jordan, saying he didn't have to pay her $5 million in hush money.)

Jordan and Knafel
This undated photograph showing Michael Jordan and Karla Knafel sitting together is included in Tuesday's filing by Knafel's attorneys in Cook County Circuit Court.