Nike Kobe 9 Elite – Officially Unveiled

Flanked by Nike CEO Mark Parker and designer Eric Avar, Kobe Bryant unveiled his ninth signature basketball shoe earlier this evening at The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles. Designated as the Nike Kobe 9 Elite, the new edition features the latest and best performance designs Nike Basketball has to offer. Centered on the concept of “Nature Amplified”, the new Nike Kobe 9 Elite features three of well established technologies – Nike Flyknit, Nike Flywire, and Nike Lunarlon. The dynamic combination not only reduces the design’s weight, but amplifies an athlete’s natural movements.
Working in tandem, the seamless Flyknit upper acts like a second skin while the Flywire provides responsive support and lockdown around the midfoot region. Yet there is enough “give” for the foot’s natural motion, or as Avar explained “…engineered strength similar to the design of a spider web – tension and strength just where it’s needed…” Meanwhile, based upon his personal belief of “simplifying without compromise”, Avar added the Nike Lunarlon cushioning insert, which was first pressure mapped, and a minimal rubber outsole to give Bryant an edge on the court. With Mark Parker, President & CEO of NIKE, started the presentation with the remarks “The Kobe 9 redefines the basketball shoe by combining power, strength, and flexibility with lightweight materials and a whole new method of manufacturing,” the Nike Kobe 9 Elite will be available starting on February 8, 2014.

Release Date: February 8, 2014