Fans of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant are livid over Mamba Sports Academy dropping “Mamba” from their name. The training facility announced they will retire “Mamba” in Kobe’s honor and “raise it to the rafters,” while reverting back to its original name, Sports Academy.
“Today, with respect for an unparalleled legacy, the Academy will retire the “Mamba” in the Mamba Sports Academy name—to raise it to the rafters, where it belongs. In doing so, Sports Academy will carry on the vision it curated during that special partnership,” a statement from Mamba Sports Academy read.
Despite the Sports Academy ensuring their mission will remain the same after retiring “Mamba” in Kobe’s honor, fans are not buying it and find it downright disrespectful for the 5-time NBA champ. Many took to Twitter to express their disdain for this new development.
How is this “in respect”. Wouldn’t that be considered DISRESPECTFUL??? It’s Kobe’s Academy based on his Sports Mentality….
Mamba Sports Academy is retiring “Mamba” from its name out of respect to late Lakers guard Kobe Bryant – The Undefeated https://t.co/ZmSwDaLLe2
— ChuckLee (@WeTalkSportz) May 12, 2020
The Sports Academy is dropping “Mamba” from its name as a way to honor Kobe Bryant.
I don’t understand.
— Meg (@_meganmayhem) May 12, 2020
So the founder of the MAMBA Sports Academy, the guy who NEEDED Kobe Bryant’s money to LAUNCH the facility. Who NEEDED Kobe to even put them on the map said “we’re retiring Mamba, from our name and will now just be Sports Academy”. That’s a tasteless move.
— Santino (@Santino_1033) May 12, 2020
I have NEVER heard of taking someone’s name off of a building to honor them. If anything, this will just make people sad. I’ve been there since Kobe died and felt pride.
If this is not about money/licensing, then this decision makes no sense at all.https://t.co/Ud6SbEw0jF
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) May 12, 2020
On January 26, Kobe, 41, his daughter Gianna, 13, along with seven other passengers perished in a tragic helicopter crash on their way to the Mamba Sports Academy center.
What do you think of Mamba Sports Academy retiring “Mamba” in Kobe’s honor?
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