Vanessa Bryant Wins $1.5 million In Attorney Fees Over Late Husband’s BodyArmor Earnings

Vanessa Bryant has received more than $1.5 million as a result of her legal struggle over her late husband’s BodyArmor investment, TMZ Sports reports.

In November 2021, Coca-Cola acquired full ownership of BodyArmor through a $5.6 billion transaction. The late Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers saw his initial $6 million investment grow to $400 million for his estate with the sale.

The 18-time All-Star was hailed by BodyArmor co-founder Mike Repole for contributing to the company’s increased visibility.

“If it wasn’t for Kobe Bryant’s vision and belief, BodyArmor would not have been able to achieve the success we had,” Repole said after the sale. “I couldn’t be more excited to become part of the Coca-Cola family and set our sights on the future.”

Kobe Inc. president Molly Carter filed suit and alleged that Kobe had promised her a small percentage of his cut from BodyArmor, per TMZ Sports.

Vanessa filed a countersuit and claimed Carter “violated the duty of loyalty and the non-disparagement clause in her employment contract by trash-talking Kobe and his family,” per TMZ.

An arbitrator ruled in Bryant’s favor, and she’s asking a judge in Orange County, California, to ratify the decision.