Kobe Bryant’s Nike Air Force 1 Low Protro City of Champions Remembers The Forum

Although sneakerheads will clamor for a pair of kicks that are over 40 years old, their feet may not be happy with their choice. Footwear technology has evolved significantly since Bruce Kilgore’s Air Force 1 was on the court (not that it stopped Rasheed Wallace), but Kobe Bryant’s Nike line is looking to upgrade the sneaker. Earlier in 2025, we were introduced to the Nike Kobe Air Force 1 Low Protro, a performance retro version of the AF1 that launched in collaboration with FC Barcelona and in a colorway inspired by Kobe’s famous pajama free-throw practice. Continuing the line is a new colorway inspired by the former home of the Los Angeles Lakers, which also matches an upcoming Kobe 1 Protro colorway.

No, even though the blue hues conjure up images of the Minneapolis Lakers, the pair takes its color and details from the Lakers home after they moved to Los Angeles, The Forum. The arena opened in 1967 and served as the Lakers' and Kings' home turf until 1999, with the back of the tongue displaying "67-99" to commemorate their time. It also depicts the text "The Fabulous," a nickname for the arena.