Former Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant spent more than a quarter-lifetime turning heads on the basketball court and building his personal brand, and now he’s looking to protect himself and cash in.
Bryant applied to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark “Black Mamba” just a few weeks ago (via ESPN.com).
“Kobe Inc., the business arm of recently retired Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, has filed to trademark his familiar nickname “Black Mamba.”
The company filed for the trademark May 2, a record with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office shows, with intent to use the nickname on everything from athletic apparel to sneakers.”
It’s hard to say exactly what Kobe’s intent is here. We’ve seen the success of the Jordan brand, and maybe he’s angling to sell apparel. When you’ve won five titles and are known internationally, a lot of people will buy what you’re selling.
Or maybe he’s looking bigger, and Kobe Inc. has a TV or licensing deal in sights. Time will tell.