Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown cited Kobe Bryant as an inspiration for launching his performance clothing brand “741.”

“A big reason I started this shoe company is because I read an article in like 2019 or something that Kobe did the same thing before he died,” he continued The Stephen A. Smith Show. “I read that he worked with people like the CEO of Uber or something like that, and he wanted to give the athletes better percentages and better deals and allow them to invest in the growing company. And I thought that was unique.” “

After his endorsement deal with Adidas expired in 2021, Brown was a sneaker free agent for years. While he transitioned to wearing mostly Nike shoes, he became a critic of the company, even going so far as to remove the company’s signature swoosh from his shoes.

Brown introduced 741 in September and his accompanying press release said he “turned down over $50 million in endorsement deals with major sneaker companies to gain full ownership and creative control of his own brand.”

The three-time All-Star also told Complex’s Ben Felderstein at the time that he approached Bryant with the concept.

“Kobe’s journey has taught me to be fearless and to take the sport and society to new levels,” he said. “That’s the mindset I bring to 741.”

Bryant was reportedly exploring a similar venture before his death in January 2020, leaving Nike to launch his own clothing brand, “Mamba.”

The New York TimesKevin Draper reported in April 2021 that Bryant’s split with Nike was complex and perhaps an indication of diminishing returns from his signature line.

“While they were popular with basketball players, Bryant’s sneakers were not always the most popular off the court, as they were worn with jeans or sweatpants,” Draper wrote.

“Before Bryant’s death, the market for his shoes was pretty niche,” said Chad Jones, the co-founder of Another Lane, a marketplace for sneaker collectors. “Performance-wise, a lot of competitive athletes loved Kobe shoes, but fashion-wise, they did.” “The predictor of how well it will sell to the masses,” Jones said.

Commercial demand for Bryant’s Nike line skyrocketed after his death and his estate signed a long-term contract with the company in 2022.

It doesn’t sound like Brown has any plans to take over Nike any time soon.