Kobe Jerseys not sellin no more!

[Fresh8]

Everyone read this!

Fans shunning Kobe Bryant's jersey

By RUKMINI CALLIMACHI, Associated Press Writer
January 6, 2005
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Kobe Bryant is no longer a fashion icon.

For the last month, Bryant's No. 8 Lakers jersey -- previously one of the best sellers in the world -- has fallen out of the top 50, according to point-of-sale data tabulated by a Florida market research firm.

Bryant's NBA jersey was still the 10th-highest selling jersey for the year, but he finished the month of December at No. 72 -- and in one week plunged to No. 90, a drastic slide for the player many once saw as the sport's next marketing golden boy.

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``I would never have thought it would have dropped off like this,'' said Neil Schwartz, director of marketing and business development for SportsScanINFO in West Palm Beach, which tracks weekly sales data from sporting goods retailers nationwide.

Bryant's marketability has likely been hurt by the flurry of bad press he's been receiving lately, analysts say. It began with his rape case and included his feud with former teammate Shaquille O'Neal, his spat with current teammate Karl Malone and a new book by former coach Phil Jackson that portrays Bryant as an aloof prima donna.

Before the season started, O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat and Jackson retired -- departures that many fans have blamed on Bryant.

``I was a big fan, but I just can't wear his jersey anymore,'' said Patrick Buan, 27, of Victorville, Calif., who last month put up for sale his four Bryant jerseys on eBay.

Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka, did not return calls seeking comment. Nike Inc., Bryant's main sponsor, also declined to comment, saying only that Bryant remains under contract with the company.

Officials at AEG, the Lakers' parent company, said sales of Bryant's jersey had dipped noticeably at the store in Staples Center in recent weeks. They said the problem began early this summer as Bryant prepared to face criminal rape charges -- which were later dropped after his accuser said she did not want to participate in the trial.

``He's such a significant player that we weren't willing to make all those goods and have him go to jail,'' said Alan Fey, vice president of merchandising for AEG.

Schwartz said Bryant's legal troubles could account for a drop in sales in the summer and possibly at the beginning of the season -- but not in December.

In June -- when the preparations for Bryant's rape trial were going full tilt -- three of Bryant's jerseys occupied the first, third and fifth spots in terms of units sold, according to Schwartz, whose company tallies numbers from a wide range of retailers, including JC Penny, Sears and Sports Chalet.

Industry insiders say that while fans may have been willing to look the other way during the rape scandal, they seem far less willing to forgive him now for what they see as the breakup of a championship team.

``I think a lot of people were understanding of the rape trial, because there are a lot of cases of players being entrapped,'' said Bob Dorfman, executive vice president of Pickett Advertising in San Francisco. ``But it's all about winning -- that's what tickles the cash register. When he jeopardized that by singlehandely blowing apart the team, it was the final straw for a lot of people.''

The drop in sales is being felt in a wide variety of retail venues -- from small sporting good chains to the Lakers' memorabilia hub at Staples Center.

``Kobe's jersey was a core part of our business -- and now with the team going in the direction it has, we've ordered less and seen less of a demand,'' said Mike Batt, general manager of Fanzz in Salt Lake City, a sporting goods retail chain with 32 stores.

The drop in sales is bad news for Nike Inc., based in Beaverton, Ore., which sank a reported $40 million into a multiyear contract with Bryant.

While Nike does not make his jersey -- Massachusetts-based Reebok, Inc. recently bought the licensing rights to all NBA player jerseys from Nike -- the decline is further evidence that they may not see a return on their investment.

While both McDonald's and Nutella have since dropped him, Nike has stood by Bryant, but has yet to use him in a single ad, even in ones touting Bryant's own shoe.

Nike spokesman Rodney Knox declined to say whether the manufacturer intends to use him in future campaigns.

``There's too much at stake for Nike to want to tarnish their brand image by using him,'' said Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon.

While the drop in sales is surprising, it's unlikely to make a dent in Bryant's personal fortune. In June, Forbes.Com ranked him as the 10th highest-paid celebrity of 2004, earning $26.1 million from June 2003 to June 2004 in salaries, bonuses, prize money, appearance fees -- as well as his Nike endorsement.

[Matthew]

Dont read too much into it Will, Kobe has been a laker for a while, if he was traded to new york or even a smaller market, like sacramento, his sales would be through the roof. It's just reached the point that if you already have a kobe lakers jersey, do you need another? Alot of people obviously dont feel they do...

[Full Surface]

Many fans just don't appreciate the Kobe anymore. His personality has changed from being a good guy to a complete asshole.

I'm sure no parent would buy their kid a Kobe jersey when they know he was accused of rape.

[Matthew]

I bought a kobe jersey this off season, havent worn it yet though...

[.]

Dont read too much into it Will, Kobe has been a laker for a while, if he was traded to new york or even a smaller market, like sacramento, his sales would be through the roof. It's just reached the point that if you already have a kobe lakers jersey, do you need another? Alot of people obviously dont feel they do...

Good point, the exact same Kobe jerseys have been on the market since the Lakers started to wear their new jerseys back in 1999. Thats about 6 years now the same jersey and Im pretty sure troughout those years most fans were able to get his jersey. People already got it, and dont want to spend money for something that they already have.

Im sure this is the biggest reason that his jersey doesnt sell that good anymore, but ofcourse the media wont mention that fact and will continue on with everything that brings Kobe image in a negative way. Im not saying that this is the only reason that he is not selling anymore tho.

I see the Lakers change their uniforms once again pretty soon...maybe even next year to boost up their jersey selling ratings.

I'm sure no parent would buy their kid a Kobe jersey when they know he was accused of rape.

My mom and dad gave me a Kobe jersey on my birhtday in September....so are they terrible parents now?

[Full Surface]

I'm sure no parent would buy their kid a Kobe jersey when they know he was accused of rape.

My mom and dad gave me a Kobe jersey on my birhtday in September....so are they terrible parents now?

That's probably because they know you're a Kobe fan.. and I'm talking about 5-10 year old kids who like basketball. Do you think a parent would rather buy a Tim Duncan or Kobe Bryant jersey for their child as a gift?

[Amphatoast]

kobe because no one knows tim duncan since he doesnt make highlights and 5-10 year old's know kobe more than duncan.

[Matthew]

Yeah nobody knows tim duncan, its not like he was at the olympics, has 2 championships, 2 finals mvps, 2 regualr season mvps and a handfull of all nba and all defensive 1st team selections... "no one knows tim duncan"....

[.]

I'm sure no parent would buy their kid a Kobe jersey when they know he was accused of rape.

My mom and dad gave me a Kobe jersey on my birhtday in September....so are they terrible parents now?

That's probably because they know you're a Kobe fan.. and I'm talking about 5-10 year old kids who like basketball. Do you think a parent would rather buy a Tim Duncan or Kobe Bryant jersey for their child as a gift?

I think they wouldnt give a shit, unless they hate the Lakers themselves.

[Amphatoast]

i know duncan is known but not as much as kobe

[Jason Kidd.]

Kobe is just an arrogant bitch,that's why everybody hates him.O yeah and he is ballhog too,he jacks off his freaky shots what are going in.

[fgrep15]

kobe because no one knows tim duncan since he doesnt make highlights and 5-10 year old's know kobe more than duncan.

Actually their was a story of a mom who's son likes Kobe and Vince, and she had bought him a Kobe jersey, but then last season told him he had to "put it away".

Parents are less inclined to buy their kid a Kobe jersey if they don't understand the situation as much, or don't feel the same way so of us might feel do about it. So if their was a Kobe and Tmac, Lebron, Shaq jersey, the parent will buy the other jerseys. I personally wouldn't but a Kobe, not because of his problems, but because I wouldn't have bought one before anyways.

Look at a guy like Iverson, he's not a good role model, but he got his popularity through being gangsta, not being a good buy which is how Kobe got his. If Iverson started trying to be a good boy he wouldn't gain fans, he's lose them, so as Kobe started losing his good boy image, he lost fans, and he doesn't have "street cred".

You can see he's obviously trying to get his good boy image back, I don't know if it's possible, but he's trying.

[Donatello]

Yeah nobody knows tim duncan, its not like he was at the olympics, has 2 championships, 2 finals mvps, 2 regualr season mvps and a handfull of all nba and all defensive 1st team selections... "no one knows tim duncan"....

i guarantee you that not alot of people unfamiliar with NBA know who the hell tim duncan is. i also guarantee you that alot more people unfamilar with the NBA do know who KOBE is.

[TheFranchiseKing]

kobe because no one knows tim duncan since he doesnt make highlights and 5-10 year old's know kobe more than duncan.

That is about the most retarted thing I ever heard. I have yet to watch a sports center that did not talk about Timmie B Duncan. I mean if they had a game that night.

i guarantee you that not alot of people unfamiliar with NBA know who the hell tim duncan is. i also guarantee you that alot more people unfamilar with the NBA do know who KOBE is.

R U Serious? Every coach and critic praise T.D cause he is Mr.Fundemental.

I think that if you don't know who T.D is, you should be shot in the groin and banned from watching the NBA. He may not be the flashiest but he plays how the game should be played. It makes me sick when people talk like this. "OH my god, he can dunk.....He must be the next Jordan" That is why no one can shoot anymore!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah nobody knows tim duncan, its not like he was at the olympics, has 2 championships, 2 finals mvps, 2 regualr season mvps and a handfull of all nba and all defensive 1st team selections... "no one knows tim duncan"....

Very well put!! At least someone knows what they are talking about.

[Jason Kidd.]

Aaight from kobe jerseys to Tim vs Kobe thread-who is more known.
OFF-TOPIC

[Fresh8]

lol... i know. my point is that all the ppl writing this stuff are saying bad publicity has led to a decline in sales.... but he been wit the same team for 8 years... and when after new 'fans' buy his jersey... who else is gonna buy it??? I've had mine for 3 years.. hell no i am gettin another one unless i could get the alternate uniform.. but in australia u can oinly get wats available!

hmm.. about the unfamiliar wit nba ppl knowein kobe... reminds me of when all the chicks in my class came up to me one day and said, haha we know who Kobe bryant is, he's a rapist- hes ur idol?... i was like

[.]

reminds me of when all the chicks in my class came up to me one day and said, haha we know who Kobe bryant is, he's a rapist- hes ur idol?... i was like

[Jackal]

You should've given them an evil ass grin and said, if he's my idol, I just might follow in his footsteps and demonstrate on you gals.

I'm sure they would've stopped mocking your taste in idols then, well..you'd probably have a restraining order in your name but hey, what's better than scaring a bunch of girlies?

[cklitsie]

Good point, the exact same Kobe jerseys have been on the market since the Lakers started to wear their new jerseys back in 1999. Thats about 6 years now the same jersey and Im pretty sure troughout those years most fans were able to get his jersey. People already got it, and dont want to spend money for something that they already have.

Sounds like a very valid reason to me, I think I would've came up with it as the main reason too, but if you start to think about it...

Haven't Kevin Garnett and Allen Iverson been wearing the same ol' jerseys for a couple of years now? They're still selling well right?

[J@3]

i guarantee you that not alot of people unfamiliar with NBA know who the hell tim duncan is. i also guarantee you that alot more people unfamilar with the NBA do know who KOBE is.

R U Serious? Every coach and critic praise T.D cause he is Mr.Fundemental.

read what he said again...

i guarantee you that not alot of people unfamiliar with NBA know who the hell tim duncan is.

Something tells me that coaches and NBA media personaliteis are quite familiar with the NBA.

[Alcoholic]

Tim Duncan's not popular with little kids. Kids want to be high flyers. They want to be Kobe, MJ, etc. They aren't going to take the basketball and go "Uh oh, Shaq Diesel!!!" and try to dunk it.

[Amphatoast]

yesss thats what i meant and good crossovers. it was tough to say that, but they like seeing those type of players. Although I see people wearing Duncans, I'm just saying kobe is more popular than him still. Where are the jersey sale reports and history at. I'm not sure but I dont think duncan was ever a top 5 seller

[air gordon]

You should've given them an evil ass grin and said, if he's my idol, I just might follow in his footsteps and demonstrate on you gals.

I'm sure they would've stopped mocking your taste in idols then, well..you'd probably have a restraining order in your name but hey, what's better than scaring a bunch of girlies?

not having a restraining order and scoring with a bunch of them to name 2

[Ataraxia]

about time

[Jackal]

not having a restraining order and scoring with a bunch of them to name 2

Child molestor.