An ESPN report reveals Nike originally pitched the “Black Mamba” campaign to Michael Jordan in 2003 before Kobe Bryant made it iconic. Explore the stunning what-if scenario that could have reshaped ...

Throughout Kobe Bryant's legendary NBA career, he became known as the "Black Mamba". A black mamba is a highly venomous snake that's considered a cold-blooded killer: Exactly what ...

The popular image and legacy of Kobe Bryant might be a lot different if Michael Jordan wasn't afraid of snakes.

Michael Jordan was almost the Black Mamba. According to a fascinating new story on ESPN.com by Baxter Holmes, Jordan Brand developed a shoe and ad campaign inspired by the venomous snake in 2003, ...

Michael Jordan was originally pitched “Black Mamba” nickname during Air Jordan 19 campaign before it became synonymous with ...

Nike tried to brand Jordan as “Black Mamba” in 2002, but his fear of snakes killed the campaign. Kobe later embraced the nickname, making it iconic in sports history.

NBA legend Kobe Bryant lived up to the ‘Black Mamba’ nickname, but another basketball great was originally supposed to own it ...

Before becoming the general manager and vice president of basketball operations for the Dallas Mavericks, Nico Harrison ...

A new ESPN story reveals a long-forgotten connection between Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant that changed the course of basketball history.

Back in 2002, Nike created a whole campaign around Michael Jordan and the black mamba, only to learn MJ hates snakes ...

The Black Mamba was created for Michael Jordan before Kobe Bryant made it legendary originally appeared on The Sporting News.

In late 2002, Nike began creating a global campaign featuring the black mamba -- and presented it to an NBA superstar. That ...