Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa Bryant wins $1.5 million in attorney fees

Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, has been awarded $1.5 million in attorney fees after a legal battle with the former president of Kobe Inc. about her late husband’s investment in the sports drink company BodyArmor.

TMZ reported that the battle all started in 2019, six months before Kobe’s death, when Molly Carter, the president of Kobe Inc., claimed that the basketball star promised her a share of the income he received from his BodyArmor investment.

Kobe paid $6 million for a $10% stake in BodyArmor in 2013, before Coca-Cola bought it a few years later for $5.6 billion. As a result of the sale, Kobe’s investment brought him $ 400 million.

The drama erupted when Molly claimed Kobe promised her 2% of the $400 million — something Kobe denied ever saying.

Molly filed a lawsuit and Vanessa stepped up to defend the case, going even further with a counterclaim against Molly accusing her of violating the duty of loyalty and non-disparagement clause she signed as part of her employment contract.

Vanessa accused Molly of violating the agreement by making fun of her family, and she included several instances of the ugly words allegedly said about Kobe and even herself.

Vanessa claims that Molly called Kobe “an asshole,” a “cock gag,” and a “shower nugget.” She also claimed that Molly specifically called her the “f***ing devil,” “b**ch,” and “PSYCHO.” Molly also reportedly said Vanessa’s newborn daughter had “botox lips.”

Vanessa also cited an alleged comment made by Molly when she traveled to an NBA All-Star game during her employment. Molly reportedly grumbled that there were “a lot of posh black people” on the plane she was on.

Vanessa was victorious in the original lawsuit and her counterclaim after the case went to arbitration. She won $1.5 million in attorney fees.

In legal documents obtained by TMZ, Kobe’s legal team has asked an Orange County Superior Court judge to uphold the arbitral award.

BodyArmor, which markets itself as a healthier sports drink, was Bryant’s very first investment with Kobe Inc.

When Bryant first invested in BodyArmor, he told Bodyarmor founder Mike Repole — who also co-founded VitaminWater and SmartWater — that he wanted to be heavily involved.

Kobe’s $6 million investment in BodyArmor netted him $400 million after the company was sold to Coca-Cola

Legal drama: Molly Carter, the president of Kobe Inc., claimed that the basketball star promised her a share of the earnings from his BodyArmor investment; Carter pictured in 2017

Tragedy: Bryant was tragically killed in a helicopter crash in 2020 along with his daughter Gianna

Wanting to focus specifically on the brand’s marketing and creative elements, Bryant created the company’s first-ever television advertisement.

The NBA legend wrote, directed and narrated the black-and-white ad, titled Obsession is Natural, which featured athletes such as James Harden and Mike Trout.

“I enjoy storytelling and have always played an active role in my campaigns throughout my career,” Bryant said. Fox business when the ad launched in April 2017.

‘As an investor in BodyArmor, this is an added value that I add to the brand. I can provide a creative voice – as an athlete – to give the product an authentic and credible voice.”

Kobe died along with his daughter Gianna, 13, in a tragic helicopter crash that killed all nine on board in January 2020. He was 41.