Although late basketball legend Kobe Bryant wasn’t a multi-sport athlete, the Black Mamba’s legacy is intertwined with several playing fields. Most notable was Bryant’s love for soccer, an infatuation which would inspire his industry-shifting low-top Nike signature sneakers. Also of note was his ties to Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers, a connection which continues to play out posthumously. 

After the launch of a Dodgers-themed Kobe 6 Protro in 2025, Nike will release a new Kobe 5 Protro in a matching colorway. The upcoming Rush Blue/Wolf Gray/Comet Red style is a near one-to-one match with its Kobe 6 predecessor and uses a Dodgers blue upper with red baseball seam stitching across the heel panel. And like the Kobe 6, the Dodgers Kobe 5 Protro includes Bryant’s jersey number, 8, which moves from the heel to the inside of the tongue and adds his number 24 for good measure.

Other deviances from the previous release include a white-bordered gray Swoosh logo instead of fully white. The new sneaker is also expected to include a graphic of Bryant on the insole, although that detail isn’t seen in these initial images.

A lifelong Los Angeles Laker, Bryant’s history with the Dodgers dates back to his 1996 arrival in the city. He frequently attended games, including throwing a ceremonial first pitch in 2000 and Game 4 of the 2018 World Series. Following his tragic passing, the Dodgers have hosted numerous tribute nights featuring special-edition jerseys and other collectibles. 

The Nike Kobe 5 Protro Dodgers is set for a fall 2026 launch at a retail price of $200 and will be available from Nilke’s Snkrs app and select Nike Basketball retailers. Like the Kobe 6 Protro, it’s possible that the new pair will receive an early release from Los Angeles-area boutiques such as Undefeated. The style code for the sneaker is IO6256-400.