Nike didn't remove Kobe's merch: it sold out

UPDATE 01/29/2020: Nike has rectified the news spread by news agencies around the world about the disappearance of Kobe Bryant's merch from its website. The brand stated that the products were not withdrawn, on the contrary, they have been all sold out. Products related to Bryant's name sold out in the hours after news of his death, while those on resell sites skyrocketed in value. Even the Los Angeles Times special issue of the event quickly sold out on Monday, and you can request it to order for 15 dollars. On eBay, a 1996 figurine signed by Bryant was auctioned for a million dollars.

StockX has instead vowed to donate all proceeds from the sale of Bryant's merch to the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, a charity founded by the late basketball champion and his wife. The resell platform wrote on Instagram:

"Our community lost a legend, but together we have the power to keep his memory and movement alive. To celebrate Kobe Bryant’s legacy, StockX will be donating all proceeds from this week’s sales of Kobe Bryant-related products to the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation." 

Since yesterday Nike suspended the sale of all the merch of Kobe Bryant, who disappeared last January 26th in a helicopter crash that also killed his 13-year-old daughter Gianna. Nike's decision, as well as obvious reasons for decorum, serves to prevent resellers from bulk buying products associated with Bryant to profit over by selling them online at higher prices. Any research related to Bryant on the Nike website shows as a result a gift card with the logo of the Los Angeles Lakers and a statement appears on the home page of the American site that says:

“Along with millions of athletes and fans throughout the world, we are devastated by today’s tragic news. We extend our deepest sympathies to those closest to Kobe and Gianna, especially their family and friends. Kobe was one of the greatest athletes of his generation and has had an immeasurable impact on the world of sport and the community of basketball. He was a beloved member of the Nike family. We will miss him greatly. Mamba forever”.

In addition, Nike announced that it was re-evaluating the release of the sneaker series that bore the signature of the missing champion whose last iteration, the Nike Kobe 5 Protro, was due to be released on February 7th. More than 100 NBA players had worn Bryant's signature sneakers this season. The question is whether they will ever be released commercially in the future. It's difficult for Nike to put them on the market and for this reason all the stock that has been produced so far and that will not reach the public could acquire great value for collectors in the future. After the news of Bryant's death, the prices of the sneakers signed by him have almost quadrupled on StockX: the adidas Crazy 97 EQT Kobe Bryant 1997 Slam Dunk Contest went from 200$ to 1000$ overnight, the Kobe 1 Protro Unyellowdefeated Camo were sold at over 2000$, the Kobe 6 Grinch reached 2700$, while the Kobe 5 Prelude exceeded 1600$.

According to Reuters, thousands of people would also gather in front of Bryant's gigantography at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, while the NBA announced that the game between the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers had been postponed to a date of will be set to be set.