Kobe Bryant’s Wife is Not Happy With the Staples Center Crypto.com Deal, Here’s Why

Crypto.com, the popular crypto platfrom has inked a naming right deal with NBA Laker’s Staples Center for 20 years. The deal is estimated to be worth $700 million and would lead to the renaming of the arena. This has reportedly not gone down well with Vanessa Bryant, the widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant who died in a helicopter accident last year.

Bryant took to Instagram to celebrate the legacy of Kobe Bryant and his 20-years long career with the Lakers. Along with that she also gave a hint that the renaming deal doesn’t change the fact that it would always be known for Kobe. She uploaded a photo of the Staples Center and wrote,

“Forever Known as the House That Kobe Built”

Lakers and Kobe Bryant had a formidable relationship through the playing career and even after his unfortunate demise. Thus, the name change deal must have come as a surprise for Vanessa Bryant who herself is fighting a legal battle against Lakers County for revealing grusome accident photos when they reached at the sight.

Bryant was not the only one who was miffed with the name change of the iconic stadium and many took to Twitter to express their displeasure.

Its Mama named him Staples Center so I'm going to call it Staples Center https://t.co/33jcuC0gUJ pic.twitter.com/fCD1YHFyKX

— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) November 17, 2021

Crypto.com Following on FTX Path

The name changing deal might have come as a surprise to the Lakers and Kobe fans, but it has become a trend if sort. Crypto companies have inked several renaming deals including one from popular crypto exchange FTX as well. However, crypto.com becomes the largest naming deal in the US sponseship history.

Staples Center – the iconic home of the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers among others since 1999 – will have a new name beginning Dec. 25: https://t.co/lur8Hbuv0r Arena. It’s believed to be the largest U.S. venue naming rights deal to date.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 17, 2021

Crypto companies are specially targeting the large sports leagues and teams to get the maximum exposure. Given the popularity of NBA, NFL and other similar sports league, most of the crypto partnships in the recent past have been sports centered.