Kobe Bryant’s family applies for “Mamba” and “Mambacita” trademark
The trademark will reportedly be used in a forthcoming footwear and clothing line.
Kobe Bryant’s family may be planning to launch a sneaker and clothing brand in honor of the basketball legend and his daughter, Gianna.
According to TMZ, an attorney for Kobe Bryant LLC filed a trademark application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office on March 10 in hopes to secure the rights to “Mamba” and “Mambacita.” The names will reportedly be used for shirts, skirts, pants, shorts, bottoms, socks, dresses, jackets and hoodies in addition to sweatbands, sneakers and other workout attire. However, it is also possible that the family could be trying to block people from using the desired trade names.
Per the Business Insider, Bryant created “The Black Mamba” — his alter-ego on the basketball court — back in the early 2000s as he was going through personal struggles. “I had to separate myself,” Kobe said on the Muse documentary. “It felt like there were so many things coming at once. It was just becoming very, very confusing. I had to organize things. So I created The Black Mamba.”
His daughter Gianna — who also shared his love for basketball — rightfully adopted the nickname “Mambacita,” which is derived from his own moniker.
Unfortunately, both Mamba and Mambacita were killed in a fatal helicopter crash that also took the lives of seven other individuals who, alongside them, were en route to the Mamba Sports Academy. The training gym has since removed the name from their business after Bryant’s estate filed to secure the trademark for “Mamba Sports Academy.”
The NBA star’s estate also filed a few other trademark applications in the wake of Kobe and Gianna’s death. “Lady Mambas” and “Lil Mambas” are some of the brand names they tried to lock up.
Per TMZ, the application for the “Mamba” and “Mambacita” trade names is currently still pending.