All you need to know about Kobe Bryant's net worth, contract, salary, endorsem*nt, and investments
By Rakesh Mehra
Updated on Mar 14, 2024 | 11:56 AM IST| 1M
Image Courtesy: Twitter
Kobe Bryant, an American professional basketball player, spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He earned widespread recognition as one of the sport's greatest players, securing five NBA championships and various accolades, such as the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and two-time NBA Finals MVP.
Bryant's legacy endures through his renowned "Mamba mentality," characterized by intense competitiveness and resilience.
His tragic passing occurred on January 26, 2020, in a helicopter crash, which also claimed the lives of his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.
Nevertheless, the basketball world continues to honor his impact and iconic status.
Kobe Bryant Net Worth in 2024: $600 million(Estimated)
As of 2024, Kobe Bryant's net worth reportedly reaches $600 million.
Bryant, the famed American professional basketball player renowned for his extraordinary court prowess, amassed this substantial wealth primarily through his successful basketball career, earning an estimated $323.3 million throughout his time in the sport.
Moreover, he significantly augmented his fortune by engaging in lucrative endorsem*nt partnerships with various corporations including Nike, Sprite, McDonald's, Turkish Airlines, Lenovo, Hublot, Panini, Alibaba, and Sina.com. 
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Kobe Bryant Contract
Throughout his NBA career, Kobe Bryant inked numerous contracts.
Spotrac disclosed that in November 2013, Kobe signed a two-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers amounting to $48.5 million, making him the highest-paid player in the league during that period.
Over his 20-year career, Kobe amassed $323,312,307 solely from NBA contracts, as per the same source.
His initial contract with the Lakers was a three-year rookie deal valued at $3.5 million.
Additionally, in 1999, he secured a six-year contract extension worth $70 million. Subsequently, in 2004, he finalized a seven-year, $136.4 million agreement with the Lakers.
Kobe Bryant Salary
Kobe Bryant, known for his remarkable 20-season tenure, experienced fluctuations in his earnings, amassing an astonishing total of $328,237,108 ($476,754,919*).
His yearly income averaged around $24,250,000, with his final season alone bringing in $25 million.
Specifically, notable seasons included earnings of $25,000,000 in 2015/16, $23,500,000 in 2014/15, $30,453,000 in 2013/14, $27,849,000 in 2012/13, $25,244,493 in 2011/12, $24,806,250 in 2010/11, $23,034,375 in 2009/10 and $21,262,500 in 2008/09.
These figures illustrate significant fluctuations in his annual salaries throughout his illustrious NBA career.
Kobe Bryant - Career Earnings
Kobe Bryant amassed a total career earnings surpassing $680 million. His income derived from playing salaries exceeded $323 million, while endorsem*nts contributed over $357 million.
He remained with the LA Lakers for the entirety of his professional basketball journey, accumulating more than $328 million in earnings.
Notable among his contracts was a three-year extension in 2010, worth $90 million.
At the time of his passing, his estimated net worth stood at $680 million, and his final season's reported salary was $25 million.
Furthermore, potential posthumous increases in his endorsem*nt earnings were anticipated due to investments and endorsem*nts, including Nike's relaunch of his shoe line and his family's $400 million investment in the Body Armor sports drink.
Kobe Bryant's Endorsem*nts
Kobe Bryant significantly boosted his net worth through numerous endorsem*nt deals during his career.
These partnerships, such as with Nike, Adidas, and other major brands like Sprite, McDonald's, Lenovo, Turkish Airlines, Panini, Alibaba, and Mercedes Benz, played a pivotal role in his financial success.
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Notably, his association with Nike was especially impactful, marked by a $40 million four-year contract in 2003, showcasing his global stature as both a basketball legend and a brand ambassador.
Despite a controversial deal with Crown Resorts, as well as collaborations with Hublot, his endorsem*nts, particularly with Nike, underscored his iconic status and immense influence in the sports and marketing world.
Additionally, his rookie year saw a lucrative six-year, $48 million partnership with Adidas. Overall, Kobe Bryant's endorsem*nt deals, notably the one with Nike, were pivotal in cementing his status as a global basketball superstar and contributed significantly to his estimated $350 million net worth.
Kobe Bryant BodyArmour Investment
In 2013, Kobe Bryant invested $6 million in the sports drink brand BodyArmor. In 2021, Coca-Cola acquired full control of BodyArmor for $5.6 billion, assessing the sports drink brand at $8 billion.
This transaction is expected to generate approximately $400 million for Kobe Bryant's estate.
Vanessa Bryant, Kobe's widow, won a lawsuit against Molly Carter, the president of Kobe Inc., who had claimed that Kobe had promised her 2% of his earnings.
Vanessa countered by alleging that Molly had used derogatory language against Kobe and herself.
Vanessa's legal victory came three months after she settled with Los Angeles for $28.5 million, including the $15 million awarded by a federal jury in August 2022. The settlement agreement order was submitted on February 28, 2023.
Kobe Bryant Venture Capital - Bryant Stibel
Kobe Bryant partnered with Jeff Stibel to establish Bryant Stibel, a venture capital firm specializing in providing strategy, capital, and operational support to tech, media, and data-focused businesses.
Bryant Stibel operates through three key platforms: Bryant Stibel Growth Equity, Bryant Stibel Ventures, and Bryant Stibel Value.
Additionally, Bryant made a personal investment in the sports drink company Bodyarmor in 2014, which resulted in a remarkable increase from a $6 million investment to approximately $200 million after its acquisition by Coca-Cola.
Bryant had expressed aspirations of eventually becoming the owner of an NBA team, inspired by his idol, Michael Jordan.
Kobe Bryant Charity Work
Kobe Bryant actively engaged in extensive charity work, supporting various causes and organizations through:
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Granting more than 200 wishes to children facing life-threatening illnesses through his volunteer work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Kobe Bryant served as a representative for After-School All-Stars, a nationwide children's charity that offers after-school programs to numerous kids.
In 2007, the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation (KVBFF) was established with the aim of improving the lives of those in need. The foundation actively supported initiatives such as Kids in Sports Los Angeles and organized festive events for homeless and at-risk families.
Furthermore, Kobe Bryant supported cancer charities and actively participated in telethons that generated millions of dollars for cancer research.
Additionally, he founded the Kobe Bryant China Fund, which successfully raised over $6.15 million for educational, sports, and cultural programs benefiting children from both China and the United States.
Kobe Bryant Death
A helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others on January 26, 2020.
They were en route to Gianna’s basketball game at his Mamba Sports Academy when the foggy conditions led to the helicopter crashing into a hillside.
This tragic incident shocked the world, prompting numerous tributes for Bryant, his daughter, and the other victims.
Kobe Bryant, recognized as one of the NBA's greatest players, is commemorated through his accomplishments, charitable work, and compassionate actions.
Subsequently, Kobe Bryant's widow received an approximately $29 million award due to the distress caused by first responders sharing graphic photos of the crash.
The helicopter crash remains a deeply impactful event that reverberated throughout the sports world and beyond.
Who inherits Kobe Bryant's money now?
Kobe Bryant's wife, Vanessa Bryant, and their three surviving daughters, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri, received Kobe's wealth.
When Kobe passed away, Forbes approximated his net worth at approximately US$600 million. Vanessa received a $15 million settlement from the lawsuit against Los Angeles County, and the remaining $28.5 million will be divided among her three surviving daughters.
There was no prenuptial agreement between Kobe and Vanessa, and she has actively engaged in substantial business ventures following his demise, contributing to the growth of her wealth.
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Despite reports of a lawsuit filed by Vanessa's mother, Sofia Laine, the inheritance was directly allocated to Kobe's wife and children.
Disclaimer: All amounts mentioned in the article are sourced from public platforms. In some cases, celebrities or their teams give their input too, which we incorporate if provided by them. We make all efforts to share possible accurate numbers, however, unless otherwise mentioned they are all approximate. We are open to feedback and suggestions oneditorial@pinkvilla.com.
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