Call her Kobe Bryant’s Avenger! The late NBA star can rest peacefully in heaven as his wife, Vanessa Bryant, handles his affairs with a winning streak.
The year 2020 marked the most challenging trial of the model’s life as she lost her husband and their daughter, Gianna. The father and child were tragically killed in a helicopter crash on January 26.
Following the gut-wrenching incident, the Los Angeles native had to overcome the loss of her loved ones while raising her surviving three children. The 41-year-old carried out her responsibilities as a mother and took on the additional task of ensuring those who crossed her family paid dearly.
Vanessa Bryant Bags More Than $1.5 Million After Winning Lawsuit Over Her Late Husband’s BodyArmor Investment
Six months before his death, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar was in a fiery battle against one of his employees. Per TMZ, the basketball player and the President of Kobe Inc., Molly Carter, squared off in court over the deceased’s earnings from a sports drink brand.
In 2013, Kobe invested $6 million into BodyArmor for a $10% interest in the beverage company. This decision led to an incredible payout a few years later when Coca-Cola bought the brand for $5.6 billion.
The organization’s sale reportedly yielded the late athlete $400 million, a payoff his staffer claimed she had a right to. In 2019, Carter noted the NBA icon promised her 2% of his earnings, a memory Kobe had no recollection of ever saying.
Fighting for what she believed was hers, the brand architect sued the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, honoree. Despite his death, the lawsuit continued with Vanessa picking up the ropes to defend her husband’s name.
The 41-year-old rose to the occasion with a counterclaim, accusing Carter of violating the duty of loyalty and the non-disparagement clause in her employment contract. The “Dear Basketball” producer broke the agreement by insulting Kobe and his family.
According to the CEO of Granity Studios, the marketing expert called her husband several unflattering names, including “asshole,” “douche nugget,” and “dick wad.” Additionally, Carter referred to Vanessa as the “f***ing devil,” “bitch,” and “PSYCHO.”
The disparaging comments did not end there, as the brand architect allegedly made fun of the Los Angeles native’s youngest child for having “botox lips.” While working for Kobe Inc., Vanessa stated Carter made a racist comment while jetting to an NBA All-Star game, saying there were “a lot of fancy-ass Black people” on the plane.
Following their legal showdown, the mother of four emerged triumphant, winning the original lawsuit and her counterclaim after the case was taken to arbitration. The philanthropist was awarded over $1.5 million in attorney’s fees.
Additionally, the legal documents obtained by the news outlet revealed that Kobe’s legal team had requested for an Orange County Superior Court judge to ratify the arbitration award. This case marked Vanessa’s second lawsuit victory in honor of her late husband.
The Be Your Own Champion Award Honoree Also Won Her Lawsuit Against The LA County
Months before her victory against Carter, the two-time NBA scoring champion titleholder’s wife made headlines for defeating the Los Angeles County in a lawsuit. The media personality sued the county’s Sheriff Department (LASD) and Fire Department (LAFD) following Kobe and Gianna’s deaths.
The legal battle began after the defendants publicly released unauthorized photos from the gruesome helicopter crash. In response, Vanessa came after them with an invasion of privacy claim. After a heated trial, the case concluded in February.
The county’s Board of Supervisors was ordered to shell out a $28.5 million remuneration. The settlement covered the charges brought by the bereaved widow and any future claims from her and Kobe’s surviving children — daughters Natalie, Bianka, and Capri.
Vanessa’s lawyer Luis Li raved about his client in a statement regarding their victory. “Today marks the successful culmination of Mrs. Bryant’s courageous battle to hold accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct,” the attorney chimed.
The legal representative praised the real-life avenger for fighting for her late husband and daughter, the helicopter crash victims, and their families. Li concluded his message hoping the settlement would discourage such disrespectful acts from reoccurring.
