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Nike’s First Black Mamba Pitch Was Built for Michael Jordan, Not Kobe Bryant

In 2002, Nike staff studied Tech Flex, a black, braided sleeving meant to replace laces. Marketer Gentry Humphrey thought it “looks like a snake,” searched for “the most bada** black snake,” and landed on “black mamba.” He built a deck, and the campaign was presented to Jordan for AJ19s, who allowed the initial launch, but wasn’t thrilled about snakes.